THURSDAY

Thursday- Harm Reduction, Recovery & Healing

 Naloxone education. Grief and loss. Recovery support. 

🔴 Thursday- Harm Reduction, Recovery & Healing

Justice-Involved Red Ribbon Week 

Focus of the Day

Thursday centers on harm reduction, understanding substance use disorders, and healing from loss. This is an important day to learn practical, life-saving tools, understand the language of recovery, and acknowledge the grief that often accompanies addiction.

What’s in Today’s Folder

• Thursday Activities Flyer — post or distribute

• Thursday Journal Prompts — Recovery Focus

• Harm Reduction folder: Overview, Strategies, Wound Care Education

• Naloxone Education folder: How to save a life with Naloxone, talking to patients, signs of opioid misuse (PDFs)

• Coping with Grief and Loss Workbook (PDF)

• DEA resource materials on opioid misuse and parent education (PDFs)

Why Naloxone Education Matters

Opioid tolerance drops significantly during incarceration. After release, many individuals return to pre-incarceration doses — which can now be fatal. Naloxone (Narcan) can reverse an overdose and save a life. Every participant should know what it is, how it works, and how to get it.

Grief and Loss Workbook

Today’s folder includes a Grief & Loss Workbook — a powerful resource for anyone coping with the loss of loved ones to substance use, the loss of freedom, or other forms of grief. Encourage participants to engage with this at their own pace.

Recovery is not just about surviving — it’s about healing. And grief is part of that healing.

🔴 Thursday Activities

Harm Reduction, Recovery & Healing!

💊 Harm Reduction & Safety

• Learn about Naloxone (Narcan) — what it is, how to use it, and why it saves lives.

• Understand how opioid tolerance changes during incarceration and what that means after release.

• Read the Harm Reduction Strategies sheet and identify steps you can take to stay safer.

🔁 Rebuilding & Reentry

• Review the Reentry Resources sheet for support after release.

• Learn recovery language — addiction, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and more.

• Ask: What’s one thing I can do to protect myself in the first two weeks after release?

💔 Emotional Healing

• Complete pages from the Grief & Loss Workbook to process difficult emotions and experiences.

• Use today’s journal prompts to reflect, release, and begin rebuilding.

Harm Reduction Overview

Practical Education for Justice-Involved Individuals

Effective harm reduction education for justice-involved individuals focuses on practical tools and knowledge that reduce risk, support safer choices, and promote health during a vulnerable transition period. The first two weeks after release are especially high-risk for overdose.

1. Overdose Prevention and Naloxone Training — Learn what overdose looks like and how to respond. Understand that opioid tolerance drops significantly during incarceration — making even a small dose after release potentially fatal. Naloxone (Narcan) reverses opioid overdoses and can be carried and used by anyone.

2. Safe Use Practices and Risk Reduction — Educate on safer practices, including avoiding mixing substances, using smaller amounts, and never using alone when possible.

3. Access to Treatment and Support Services — Learn about local addiction treatment programs, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), counseling, and peer support groups — and how to access them immediately after release.

4. Understanding Substance Use Disorder as a Medical Condition — Addiction is a chronic, treatable illness — not a moral failing. Reducing stigma around this understanding is itself a life-saving intervention.

5. Mental Health and Stress Management — Coping skills, mindfulness, journaling, and peer support are all harm reduction tools. They help manage triggers, cravings, and stress without substances.

6. Reentry Planning with Harm Reduction in Mind — Create a relapse prevention plan before release. Include who to call, where to go, and what to do in a moment of crisis. Involve family or trusted support when possible.

7. Housing, Employment, and Social Support — Unstable housing, unemployment, and isolation are among the strongest predictors of relapse. Connect with community resources that address these stressors directly.

8. Legal Rights and Healthcare Access — Know your rights around accessing healthcare, treatment, and harm reduction services after release. You have the right to medical care.

Delivery Tips for Staff

• Use simple, jargon-free language and culturally sensitive materials

• Combine verbal education with printed handouts or visual guides

• Include peer educators or mentors with lived experience when possible

• Provide ongoing support and follow-up, not just one-time sessions

Harm Reduction Guide for Patients in Correctional Settings

Staying Safer if You Use Synthetic or Illegal Substances

Your Safety Matters

This guide provides practical steps to reduce harm. You deserve accurate information, respectful care, and support—no matter your circumstances.

Know the Risks

Substances in correctional facilities are often unpredictable and dangerous.

• Unknown Strength: Synthetic drugs like K2 or Spice may be much stronger than expected. 

• Hidden Ingredients: Substances may contain fentanyl or other toxic chemicals. 

• Unpredictable Effects: Reactions can include seizures, heart problems, severe anxiety, or psychosis. 

• Lowered Tolerance: Periods without use reduce tolerance, increasing the risk of overdose. 

• Serious Health Risks: Use can worsen mental and physical health conditions. 

Remember: You cannot be sure what is in any substance.

If You Choose to Use, Take Steps to Stay Safer

• Start with a small amount. 

• Avoid mixing substances, especially opioids, benzodiazepines, or alcohol. 

• Avoid using alone whenever possible. 

• Wait before using more to see how your body reacts. 

• Do not use when you are sick, emotionally distressed, or exhausted. 

• Stay hydrated if permitted. 

Do Not Share Items

Sharing increases the risk of infections such as hepatitis and other communicable diseases. Avoid sharing:

• Drug-soaked papers 

• Smoking devices 

• Straws or improvised tools 

• Needles or sharp objects 

• Any item that comes into contact with blood or saliva 

Know the Warning Signs of Overdose or Toxic Reactions

Seek help immediately if you or someone else experiences:

• Trouble breathing 

• Chest pain or a racing or irregular heartbeat 

• Seizures or severe shaking 

• Extreme confusion or agitation 

• Hallucinations or paranoia 

• Loss of consciousness 

• Blue or gray lips or fingertips 

• Unresponsiveness or inability to wake 

In an emergency, notify correctional staff immediately. Getting help can save a life.

Take Your Prescribed Medications

• Take medications exactly as directed. 

• Do not mix them with illicit substances. 

• Inform medical staff of any side effects. 

• Proper treatment supports stability, safety, and recovery. 

Quick Safety Checklist

✔ Start low and go slow
✔ Do not mix substances
✔ Avoid sharing materials
✔ Know the signs of overdose
✔ Seek help immediately in an emergency
✔ Take prescribed medications as directed
✔ Ask for support when you need it

Remember- Every step toward safety is a step toward a healthier future.