Date of Award

January 2025

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

School of Public Health

First Advisor

Ijeoma Opara

Second Advisor

Chelsey Carter

Abstract

BackgroundThe Substances and Sexual Health (SASH) Lab at the Yale School of Public Health conducts much of its work in Paterson, New Jersey. As part of a community partnership, the lab collaborated with Black Lives Matter (BLM) Paterson to conduct a program evaluation of BLM Paterson’s Harm Reduction Center. BLM Paterson, founded in 2016, offers harm reduction through a wide range of services including survival resources, referrals to treatment, and a touchpoint with the healthcare system, all within a safe, non-judgmental space for individuals to decompress and find support. Evaluation Methods This formative program evaluation assesses the impact of BLM Paterson’s Harm Reduction Center on both participants and staff, with the goal of identifying gaps and strengths in the services offered. Individual interviews were conducted with 21 participants who had utilized harm reduction services within the past 12 months, as well as 2 BLM staff members. Participants were asked to reflect on their experience with the program, including likes, dislikes, interactions with staff, and the program’s impact, as well as their experiences with overdoses and Narcan use in the context of harm reduction. Staff were asked to reflect on their roles at BLM Paterson, including skills and challenges, and their desired resources and program improvements. Data were analyzed using rapid thematic analysis. Key Findings: 1. Program Discovery -Participants primarily learned about the program through word-of-mouth and community outreach. -While initially unfamiliar with the Paterson chapter, participants came to recognize it as distinct from the broader BLM movement. 2. Program Experience Positives: -Convenient and accessible location. -Holistic support services that addressed basic needs and provided social support. -Created a strong sense of belonging in a safe, non-judgmental space. Challenges: -Limited program hours. -Occasional unwanted exposure to active substance use. Interactions with Staff -Staff cultivated a compassionate and supportive environment focused on harm reduction, healthcare referrals, and distributing essential resources. Program Impact -Offered lifesaving substance use prevention. -Empowered participants to advocate for themselves. -Served as a vital source of basic needs and consistent support. Overdose and Narcan Experiences Overdose: -Participants shared a range of experiences, including witnessing overdoses or experiencing them personally. -Police should not be involved in overdose response. Narcan: -Confidence in administering Narcan varied, with some participants expressing uncertainty and others reporting successful use. -A few participants had firsthand experience as Narcan recipients. Staff Roles and Experiences Roles: -Developed practical survival and harm reduction skills. -Built strong community relationships. -Gained expertise in identifying and distributing critical resources. Challenges: -Limited physical space. -Insufficient funding. -Impact of extreme weather on operations.

Recommendations 1. Increased funding needed for: -Extended program hours (24/7 operations) -Round-the-clock staffing to prevent burnout and support extended hours -Training volunteers -Maintaining a dedicated physical location for the center -Expanded holistic support services, including: Laundry facilities, Social work, Separation of needle exchange program, Legal aid, Sex worker resources, City-wide education on Narcan administration 2. Improved accessibility through: -A visual map of the center’s location to support individuals with varying literacy levels -Visual Narcan instruction materials designed for all literacy levels -Resource allocation guide for staff 3. Less police involvement in overdose interventions

Comments

This is an Open Access Thesis.

Download
Open Access

This Article is Open Access

Share

COinS