In Rhode Island, harm reduction is an evidence-based public health approach that aims to provide tools, services, and education to people who use substances
In Rhode Island, there are organizations that give free supplies like naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and sterile needles to protect people from infections and overdose. They also connect people to basic needs like food, healthcare, housing, and peer-to-peer services. Staff are trained to take a non-stigmatizing, person-centered approach. Harm reduction happens in community locations and includes street outreach, home delivered services, vending machines, and walk-in sites.
How can I lower my risk of overdose?
You can have naloxone and use your drugs with someone nearby
In Rhode Island, more than 4 out of 5 fatal overdose deaths in 2024 occurred in private locations, like at home. It is important to always use with someone nearby who has naloxone in case you overdose. Naloxone is safe to use and only works if a person has opioids in their body. You won’t be able to give yourself naloxone. Always call 911 and administer naloxone every two minutes if you think someone is overdosing.
SafeSpot is a free, 24/7 hotline where you will be connected to an operator who can stay on the phone while you use drugs alone. They can activate an emergency safety plan that you can decide when you talk with the operator. Call the SafeSpot hotline toll free (800-972-0590)
You can learn to recognize and respond to an overdose
If you think someone is overdosing, you need to act fast. Always call 911 first and administer naloxone every two minutes if you have it. 911 will instruct you on how to support their breathing. If they are still sedated but breathing is restored, place them in the recovery position. This will help them breathe while you wait for first responders to arrive.
The Good Samaritan Law provides certain legal protection when you call 911 when someone is overdosing, whether you have drugs on you or not.
You should try to avoid using alone
If you use drugs, have someone you trust check on you so they can help in the event of an overdose. Likewise, if a loved one uses drugs, check on them so you can call 911 and administer naloxone in the event of an overdose.
If you are using in a group, be sure to stagger your use so someone is always alert and ready to call 911 and administer naloxone.
You can understand the risks of mixing your drugs
Whether it is on purpose or not, mixing drugs (also known as polysubstance use) is never safe. When you combine drugs, the effects can be stronger, unpredictable, and can even be deadly.
Avoiding mixing drugs
Try to avoid mixing depressants or downers, like benzodiazepines (known as benzos), opioids, and alcohol. Mixing these can increase your risk of an overdose. You can learn more about the side effects of mixing different kinds of drugs.
Because the drug supply is always changing, it can be hard to know what you are buying. Your drugs may contain more than one substance that you are not aware of. In Rhode Island, an opioid called fentanyl and a sedative called xylazine are being mixed with other drugs.
The dangers of mixed drug use can happen with any drug, including prescription drugs. Make sure your doctor is aware of what drugs you take to avoid mixing drugs that may be harmful together. Having naloxone with you is important. You can also learn how to respond to an overdose.
How can I reduce the harms of using drugs?
You can get drug use supplies
In Rhode Island, there are many places where you can get sterile needles, cookers, and cottons. You can also get naloxone, a medicine that can reverse an overdose, and fentanyl test strips, which you can use to see if your drugs have been mixed with fentanyl. You can buy naloxone and new needles at pharmacies all around Rhode Island. You can also go to a syringe exchange to get these supplies for free.
Harm Reduction Vending Machines
Harm reduction vending machines provide free supplies 24 hours a day, seven days a week to people who want them whenever they are ready for them. They provide supplies and materials that can help to keep people who use drugs healthier, along with some basic needs for hygiene and nutrition. The vending machines are currently stocked with supplies like injection kits, naloxone (Narcan), fentanyl test strip kits, condoms / sex kits, wound care kits, hygiene kits, and referral cards.
Since the launch of this project, several machines have been placed in communities throughout the state. They served 442 unique clients and distributed 18,792 supplies in 2024 alone, shown in the Harm Reduction Vending Machine Report 2024.
To access the supplies in a vending machine, please contact AIDS Care Ocean State by calling call 401-781-0665, and they will issue you an anonymous PIN code to access the machines. Learn more about vending machines, including where they are located. Currently, you can get three items for free in a week.
Fentanyl Test Strips
Fentanyl test strips are easy to use tests to see if your drugs have some types of fentanyl in them. Fentanyl test strips have been legal in Rhode Island since 2018. Since then, community organizations have been distributing fentanyl test strips around the state.
Needles
ENCORE Syringe Exchange
ENCORE is a syringe exchange with a permanent location at 557 Broad Street in Providence, Rhode Island. Please visit their website for more information.
ENCORE offers free syringe delivery. Call 401-781-0665 today for more information.
ENCORE has a mobile team that travels to several areas in Rhode Island, wearing their yellow ENCORE backpacks. In addition to giving you new needles in exchange for your used ones, the street outreach team also gives out safe sex kits, HIV testing information, toiletries, and referrals for additional resources.
Cranston Street, Providence, RI 02909
Hours: Monday: 4:30-6:30
Pawtucket RI 02909
Hours: Wednesday: 4:30-6:30pm
Central Falls RI 02909
Hours: Wednesday: 4:30-6:30pm
Praire Ave, Providence, RI 02909
Hours: Thursday: 10:00am-1:00pm
7 Girard Ave Newport, RI 02840
Hours: Friday 1:30pm-3:30pm
421 Broadway Newport, RI 02840
Hours: Friday 1:30pm-3:30pm
Hartford Ave, Providence, RI
Hours: Saturday: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Project Weber
Project Weber offers syringe exchange at their main drop-in center and has a street outreach team that can exchange syringes and gives out fentanyl test strips, naloxone, condoms, and other supplies. They also have recovery coaching and can link you with a treatment program in you are feeling ready for one. Project Weber also offer HIV and hepatitis C testing. You can find out more information about Project Weber here.
Project Weber/RENEW Providence Drop-in Center
Location: 640 Broad St. Providence, RI 02907
Phone: 401-383-4888
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Project Weber/RENEW Pawtucket Drop-in Center
Location: 124 Broad St. Pawtucket 02860
Phone: 401-867-2662
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Downtown Mobile Outreach, Kennedy Plaza
Location: Located in downtown Providence, on the side of Kennedy Plaza near the “Superman Building” (Industrial Trust Bank).
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Pharmacies
If you can’t make it a syringe exchange (a place where you can bring your used needles and get new ones), you can always buy syringes at your local pharmacy.
You can get tested
Getting tested for HIV and hepatitis C status is free and is the best way to get linked to treatment. HIV and hepatitis C can be spread if you share needles or other works. HIV can be treated, and hepatitis C is curable! These are locations where you can get tested and also get linked to treatment. Click on the tab below to find a testing location that is best for you.
Find a testing location
ACOS Prevention Center
Location: 557 Broad Street, Providence, RI 02906
Phone Number: 401-781-0665
Hours: By Appointment
Service provided: Testing
AIDS Project RI
Location: 55 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02906
Phone Number: 401-821-5522
Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 3:00pm-5:00pm by appointment, Wednesday 5:00pm-7:00pm walk-ins
Service provided: HIV and Hepatitis C testing, at-home HIV testing
Website: https://aidsprojectri.org/get-tested/
The Rhode Island STD Clinic at Miriam Hospital
Location: 180 Corliss St., Suite F, Providence, RI 02904
Phone Number: 401-793-4715
Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 12:30pm-3:30pm
Service provided: HIV and other STI testing
Project Weber/RENEW
Not only does Project Weber/RENEW offer syringe exchange, they also have HIV and hepatitis C testing at all three of their locations!
Project Weber/RENEW Providence Drop-in Center
Location: 640 Broad St. Providence, RI 02907
Phone: 401-383-4888
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Project Weber/RENEW Pawtucket Drop-in Center
Location: 124 Broad St. Pawtucket 02860
Phone: 401-867-2662
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Downtown Mobile Outreach, Kennedy Plaza
Location: Located in downtown Providence, on the side of Kennedy Plaza near the “Superman Building” (Industrial Trust Bank).
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sojourner House
Location: 386 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02908
Phone: 401-861-6191 ext. 115
Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
Service provided: HIV testing
You can get access to healthcare
Everyone deserves access to healthcare. There are clinics around Rhode Island that are welcoming to everyone regardless of your insurance status. These clinics will not only treat you, but they can link you to other services and even help you get insurance. These clinics will be able to treat your wounds and abscesses and will also help you with other healthcare needs you may have.
Find healthcare
Clinica Esperanza
Clinica Esperanza, or the Hope Clinic, treats people of all insurance statuses. They also have doctors and nurses trained to provide medical care in Spanish.
Location: 60 Valley St. Suite 104, Providence, RI 02909
Hours: Monday-Friday: 12:00pm-6:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am-12:00pm
Visit their website
Providence Community Health Centers
There are 13 different Providence Community Health Centers throughout the city. These health centers provide high quality healthcare to people regardless of their ability to pay.
Phone: 401-444-0400
Visit their website to find a health center near you.
Thundermist Health Center
Thundermist Health Center serves northern, central and southern Rhode Island with clinics in Woonsocket, West Warwick, and South County. They have 10 clinics throughout these areas that cover different healthcare needs. They accept patients regardless of their ability to pay.
Woonsocket location: 450 Clinton Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895
Phone Number: 401-767-4100
West Warwick location: The Cotton Shed, 186 Providence Street, West Warwick, RI 02893
Phone number: 401-615-2800
South County location: 1 River Street, Wakefield, RI 02879
Phone number: 401-783-0523
You can get access to wound care
It is important to get your wounds checked out because they can lead to further complications. If you have wounds that won’t heal on their own or are getting worse, you might need to get medical care. The Mobile Wound Care team at Westbay Community Action and Alert Ambulance provides wound care. The team visits locations around Rhode Island each week:
Wound Care Centers
Wound Recovery and Hyperbaric Medicine Center
Location: 15 Health Lane, Building 2-D Warwick, RI 02886
Phone: (401) 736-4646
Rhode Island Hospital Center of Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine
Where: 950 Warren Ave #103 East Providence, RI 02914
Contact: (401) 606-4325
Our Lady of Fatima Hospital
Where: 200 High Service Ave North Providence, RI 02904
Contact: (401) 456-3011
The Center for Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine at Landmark Medical Center
Where: 166 Cass Avenue Woonsocket, RI 02895
Contact: (401) 768-6017
South County Health Wound Care
Where: 70 Kenyon Ave Suite L10 Wakefield, RI 02879
Contact: (401) 788-1638
Thundermist Health Center
Woonsocket Location:
Where: 450 Clinton Street Woonsocket, RI 02895
Contact: (401) 767-4100
South County Location
Where: 1 River Street Wakefield, RI
Contact: (401) 783-0523
West Warwick location
Where: 186 Providence Street West Warwick, RI 02893
Contact: (401) 615-2800
Providence Community Health Centers
Where: 13 Different Locations (Call for more info)
Contact: (401) 444-0400
Clinica Esperanza
Where: 60 Valley Street Suite 104 Providence, RI 02909
Contact: (401) 347-9093
Hours: Monday – Friday: 12:00 P.M to 6:00 P.M
Saturday: 8:00am-12:00pm
Mobile Wound Care Team
Monday
Shower to Empower Providence
Location: McDonald’s at 59 Central Street, Providence, RI 02907
Hours: 8:30 A.M to 11:00 A.M
Thrive Behavioral Health
Location: 1315 Main Street West Warwick, RI 02893
Hours: 12:30 P.M to 2:30 P.M
Tuesday
Shower to Empower Pawtucket at Project Weber/RENEW
Location: 124 Broad Street Pawtucket, RI 02860
Hours: 8:30 A.M to 11:00 A.M
Community Care Alliance Safe Haven Woonsocket
Location: 245 Main Street Woonsocket, RI 02985
Hours: 1:00 P.M to 3:00 P.M
Wednesday
Open Doors Warming Center Pawtucket
Location: 1139 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860
Hours: 12:30 P.M to 2:30 P.M
ECHO Village House of Hope
Location: 1 Victor St, Providence, RI 02908
Hours: 10:00 A.M to 12:00 P.M
Shower to Empower Woonsocket
Location: 450 Clinton Street Woonsocket, RI 02985
Hours: 8:30 A.M to 11:00 A.M
Thursday
Shower to Empower West Warwick at Thundermist
Location: 186 Providence Street, West Warwick RI 02893
Hours: 8:30 A.M to 11:00 A.M
Project Weber Renew Providence Outreach
Location: 45 Willard Ave., Providence, RI 02905
Hours: 11:30 A.M to 2:00 P.M
Better Lives RI Outreach
Location: 12 Abbott Park Place, Providence, RI 02903
Hours: 10:00 A.M to 2:00 P.M
Friday
Shower to Empower at Dexter Park
Location: 123 Dexter Street, Providence RI 02909
Hours: 8:30 A.M to 11:00 A.M
MLK Center Newport
Location: 20 Dr Marcus Wheatland Blvd, Newport, RI 02840
Hours: 11:00 A.M to 1:30 P.M
Outside of those static sites we are available on call to come out to encampments and other drop in sites to meet with providers and clients. The Mobile Wound Care team can be reached at the mobile wound care phone: 401-871-4389 or by email: alertwoundcare@alertems.com.
You can get access to vaccinations
Vaccinations are a critical part of protecting your health, especially if you are using substances. People who use substances may be at higher risk for certain infections, such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, COVID-19, and the flu. The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) offers guidance and resources to ensure you have access to these life-saving vaccines.
Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B Vaccinations
People who use substances are at increased risk for both hepatitis A and hepatitis B, which are serious liver infections. RIDOH recommends these vaccines for individuals who use substances, as well as for those who are homeless or engage in behaviors that put them at higher risk for these diseases.
Hepatitis A: Protects against a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus, commonly spread through contaminated food and water or close contact with an infected person.
Hepatitis B: Protects against a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus, which is transmitted through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids.
Learn more about hepatitis vaccines and where to get them at the RIDOH Immunization webpage.
COVID-19 Vaccination
COVID-19 can be particularly dangerous for those with substance use disorders, as it can worsen underlying health conditions. RIDOH encourages all eligible individuals to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccination is free and widely available throughout Rhode Island.
Visit the RIDOH COVID-19 vaccination webpage for details on locations and times for vaccination clinics.
Flu Vaccination
Flu season can bring additional health risks, especially for people who use drugs. The flu virus can cause severe complications, such as pneumonia, which may be more common among those with SUD. RIDOH strongly recommends that individuals with SUD receive a flu shot each year.
Visit vaccines.gov to find flu vaccination sites near you.
Community Spotlight: AIDS Care Ocean State
Read a community spotlight with Ray Joseph, prevention supervisor for AIDS Care Ocean State (ACOS), about the agency’s harm reduction efforts and how ACOS helps reach all Rhode Islanders living with or affected by HIV, AIDS, and hepatitis C.
MORE RESOURCES
Harm reduction infographics
Shareable infographics for harm reduction practices and resources
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Harm reduction data
Community organizations in Rhode Island distribute supplies like fentanyl test strips and sterile needles around the state.