hivaidsStigma

Harm Reduction Coalition

Harm Reduction Coalition (HRC), founded in 1993, is a national advocacy and capacity-building organization that promotes the health and dignity of individuals and communities impacted by drug use. HRC advances policies and programs that help people address the adverse effects of drug use including overdose, HIV, Hepatitis C, addiction, and incarceration.

With funding from AED, HRC's Syringe Exchange Communication Project aims to reframe the debate on syringe exchange in order to reduce stigma toward injection drug users (IDUs) and the practice of syringe exchange and to lift stigmatizing policies such as the national ban on federal funding for syringe exchange programs. HRC will pursue media strategies and outreach efforts primarily through print and web media. The project objectives include:

• Developing effective and diverse message(s) for targeted audiences;
• Producing materials for education and advocacy based on these messages; and
• Organizing and educating target audiences including key legislators, communities in key Congressional districts, and media outlets.

The project objectives will be met through increasing HRC's infrastructure for national grassroots organizing, building HRC's media outreach, and educating and building key relationships.