Amidst the constantly changing field of higher education, establishments are realizing the value of creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for every student. The necessity of Pierce College’s Harm Reduction Center is one important issue that requires our attention.
Primarily, a Pierce Harm Reduction Center would act as a lighthouse of compassion and understanding. It’s a recognition of the fact that students have different origins and deal with unique issues in various ways.
The National Association of County and City Health Officials has awarded almost $360,000 in funding to six sites as part of the Harm Reduction and Academic Detailing project. According to their website, “Harm reduction strategies are critical to reducing the morbidity and mortality of people who use drugs; these strategies encompass a broad array of practices and services that can reduce substance use, connect people to treatment, and prevent overdoses.”
Through addressing concerns about mental health, substance abuse and general welfare, the college can foster an atmosphere where students feel capable of succeeding academically and appreciated.
The opioid crisis and the growing prevalence of drug usage among college students highlight how urgent it is to launch harm reduction programs. USC provides options and programs for students to be educated and prepared especially with the opioid crisis.
University of Southern California (USC) has announced Naloxone SC, a student-run website and naloxone distribution program.
Montclair State University launched their first Harm Reduction Certificate program.
“The time has come for us to take matters into our own hands in order to stop the unnecessary death toll,” said Kelly LaBar, Project Coordinator at CARES.
“By having this online certificate, we can give people across the country the tools to fight back against the overdose epidemic and the unjust War on Drugs that perpetuates the cycle of death and suffering.”
The college creates the conditions for a more sympathetic, perceptive and ultimately prosperous academic community by adopting harm reduction.
Now is the moment to put our students’ health and safety first and prepare Pierce College for a more promising and diverse future.
