HIV and viral hepatitis prevention for the target population requires a non-judgmental provision of services and an understanding of the complex health needs of the population. Social determinants of health such as poverty, unemployment, homelessness, low literacy, and social marginalization compound the needs associated with health equity and thereby place some individuals at greater risk for disease, increase their vulnerability to drug-related harms, or mitigate their capacity to effectively cope with drug-related consequences.
Harm reduction refers to policies, programs, and practices that aim to reduce the adverse health, social and economic consequences of legal and illegal drugs without necessarily reducing drug consumption. Harm reduction complements other approaches that seek to prevent or reduce the overall level of drug consumption, including access to substance use treatment programs.
Specific Target Populations to be Served: People who have ever injected, snorted, smoked, or inhaled drugs; other people who use substances; racial and ethnic minority populations; people who exchange sex for money or goods; people who are unhoused or unstably housed; people who have been formerly incarcerated; persons previously diagnosed with HIV or HCV.
For program requirements and the Scope of Work see https://health.ri.gov/rfp/Drug-User-Health-Syringe-Services-Access-Program.pdf#page=7
