HARP leading the way with Project Nexus
Earlier this year the Madison County Harm Reduction Program, or HARP, was accepted into Project Nexus, an innovative partnership between the University of Washington and syringe service programs. It was one of just nine such programs selected in the entire U.S.!
As a result of this partnership, HARP has realized some incredible positive results in Madison County, including enrolling 156 new participants in the program and documenting more than 1,000 uses of Narcan to treat overdoses. Countless lives are being saved!
Project Nexus involves a virtual interview to educate people about harm reduction practices and health outcomes among populations served by syringe service programs (SSP). Participants are paid $20 via Visa gift card for completing the interview, an additional $20 for receiving HIV/HCV testing, another $20 for returning for their viral hepatitis test, and an additional $40 for referring four of their peers.
Given that the population served by HARP includes some of the most vulnerable Hoosiers – people who use drugs, who are often homeless and/or unemployed – tying the cash reward with beginning services to address their substance use has proven to be a huge boon.
HARP originally applied for Project Nexus in 2019, but the project was put on hold because of COVID. Last year they reached out offering the funding if Aspire was still interested in participating. To qualify, participants must be aged 18+, speak English and have used injectable substances at least once in the past six months.
During the three months of the Project Nexus period, 156 people in Madison County participated in the program, including 123 individuals who had never engaged with HARP before. All 156 completed their health screenings. They were also given the opportunity to share their experience regarding stigma and barriers to care, and received backpacks, hygiene items, referrals for medical care, housing, HCV treatment, SUD treatment, or other services they may need from Aspire or other providers.
Additionally, 1,195 doses of Narcan were provided to program participants, and 224 doses were reported as used by them to reverse their own overdose events. Another 813 doses were used to reverse a peer’s overdose. Hundreds more were distributed to other drug users. (Additional doses were obtained from the Narcan boxes deployed at Aspire clinic locations – something they learned about by engaging with HARP.)
“Even though the Project Nexus funding has ended, HARP is still offering its own gift cards and backpacks with supplies to people who come in to receive HIV/HCV testing. Though the cash reward system is controversial in some public health circles, these early results show incredible promise in getting help to people who might not otherwise seek it out on their own,” says Julie Foltz, Director of Infectious Disease for Aspire.
The HARP program has expanded so rapidly they have currently surpassed their grant funding. However, the program will continue operating through a combination of fundraising and support from Aspire resources. It will also undergo a name change and be known as Point of Entry.
Look for news soon on how to get involved!
