Samaritan Daytop Village is dedicated to improving lives by helping people help themselves. In the area of addiction treatment, our mission has always been clear: to save lives. With that goal always in mind, we have embraced Harm Reduction strategies as an integral part of our services.
Harm Reduction is a practical and compassionate approach that empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their substance use. Rather than immediate abstinence, harm reduction focuses on strategies that reduce the risks and negative consequences of substance use and other risky behaviors, while promoting health and wellness.
Our approach is simple: share strategies that reduce harm. One change , such as using clean supplies or administering Narcan, can save a life.
Individuals who use drugs and alcohol are at risk of harming their health and wellness and possibly death. Harm Reduction helps avert those risks with ways to modify, moderate, or abstain from use.
We offer educational materials, tools, and tips to reduce the risks of substance use, including strategies to avoid infections and other health complications. We believe knowledge is power.
Following are five safe strategies to reduce the dangers associated with substance use:
Drug use is dangerous. If you choose to use drugs, stay safe. Commit to never use alone. For more info, visit Never Use Alone Inc. or call 800-484-3731.
Deadly fentanyl is now found widely in illicit drug supplies. Before using, test your supply for any trace of it. Our PARC (Peer Alliance Recovery Center) programs in Queens and the Bronx as well as our Residential and Outpatient treatment programs offer free fentanyl test strips. You can also order test strips with instructions at https://mattersnetwork.org/harmreduction/.
Always have Narcan (naloxone) on hand. Free Narcan kits are available at our PARC programs and treatment locations. To order a free supply and learn how to administer Narcan, visit https://mattersnetwork.org/harmreduction/.
Learn more about Samaritan Daytop Village’s history with Narcan training.
Commit to reducing usage. Avoid drugs or alcohol when driving, operating machinery, or caring for a child or dependent adult. Keep track of alcohol intake. Offset possible intoxication by ordering a soft drink in between drinks of alcohol. For more tips on moderating alcohol intake, visit https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/.
When abstinence, modification, or moderation seem difficult, Medications for Addiction Treatment (MATs) provide the safest answer to manage substance use. MATs reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, ultimately improving quality of life. Clients report a positive experience when their MAT prescriptions are paired with other supportive treatments and interventions. MAT helps people build the capacity to abstain from the drugs causing the most harm and recover from addiction.
Learn more about our Medically Assisted Treatment.
Whether you need support for the path of recovery you are on or want some help to decide your way, Samaritan Daytop Village has services to support you. Contact us for more information:
Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. 929-244-1445 or [email protected]
Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. 929-244-1500 or [email protected]
For info on substance use, opioid use, and mental health treatment, contact Central Admissions – 24/7 at (855) 322-4357 (HELP) or visit the admissions page.
For more than 10 years, Samaritan Daytop Village has been a leader in training individuals to recognize and respond to opioid overdoses. Participants learn how to administer Narcan and leave with free life-saving Narcan kits to carry with them.
In 2012, Samaritan Daytop Village began training Residential Treatment staff and clients in Narcan administration. The initiative was part of New York State’s Overdose Prevention Program.
Our Narcan training expanded to our Outpatient and Shelter programs. Today all staff members, including our Administrative teams, receive free Narcan training and supplies.
In 2020, we began offering free training to the communities we serve:
The goal of our Narcan training initiative remains the same as our mission – to save lives.
