Fighting for a safe, compassionate, equitable community for everyone.
The Harm Reduction Coalition of Santa Cruz County is comprised of staff and volunteers working to reduce the harms associated with drug use, and to end the stigma. The philosophy is simple - meet people where they’re at. Our engagement centers around respect, autonomy, agency, and the understanding that most of us are doing our best on any given day.
We welcome participants of our program to volunteer. Many of our volunteers have personal experience with drug use. Nothing about us without us.
As a community-based organization and fierce harm reductionists, we are committed to evidence-based work that champions low-barrier access to essential, life-saving services for those who need it most. In addition to material supply distribution and referrals to community partners, we offer education and training for safer-use practices and overdose prevention on the streets and for local schools, treatment programs, and other community-based organizations.
Our dream of a future free from preventable infections and overdose-related deaths is possible, and we invite you to join us in this movement. With 4 years under our belt, we are just getting started.
“…the Harm Reduction Coalition has filled a major void after the county began cutting back hours for syringe distribution at its Emeline health campus..”
- Dr. Arnold Leff, Retired Public Health Officer, Santa Cruz County
We’re glad you’re here.
We love hearing from our community! Please reach out with any collaboration or training requests, general questions, or just to say hello.