Enhancing Harm Reduction Through Drug Checking and Community Outreach: Feedback from People Who Use Drugs on Drug Supply Safety, Dissemination of Information, and Service Needs

The overdose crisis has significantly impacted public health, with high rates of overdose death exacerbated by the presence of potent synthetic opioids and novel psychoactive substances. Harm reduction strategies like drug checking services provide critical information to people who use drugs, enabling them to make informed decisions to reduce drug-related risks. The testRI project utilized toxicology testing and community-based outreach to develop a local drug supply surveillance and dissemination program. A survey of 158 people who use drugs was conducted to gather feedback on the dissemination of drug supply information and harm reduction services. Findings revealed strong interest in drug checking services and test strips, with most participants reporting concern about drug supply safety. Participants also expressed a preference for printed and in-person communication modalities. The survey highlighted the need for accessible, comprehensive harm reduction resources tailored to the needs of people who use drugs. This research underscores the importance of integrating real-time data, community engagement, and harm reduction services to address the evolving overdose crisis.