Drug User Health
At SOOAR, we believe every life has value, and everyone deserves dignity, respect, and access to care. “Drug user health” means meeting people where they are—without judgment—and offering education, resources, and support to reduce harm and promote wellness. From overdose prevention to HIV and hepatitis education, our goal is to help people stay safer, healthier, and more connected to the community.
What does drug user health mean?
Drug user health is an approach to public health that recognizes the dignity, humanity, and needs of people who use drugs. Instead of focusing solely on stopping drug use, it emphasizes reducing harm, promoting wellness, and meeting people where they are — without judgment or stigma.
At SOOAR, drug user health means:
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Centering dignity and compassion — Every individual deserves respect, regardless of their relationship to substances.
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Reducing harm and saving lives — Providing tools like naloxone, sterile syringes, wound care, and safer-use education to prevent overdoses, infections, and long-term health complications.
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Supporting whole-person wellness — Connecting people to mental health care, housing, food, HIV prevention, and other resources that strengthen stability and health.
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Empowering choice — Recognizing that people’s goals may differ (safer use, managed use, recovery, or abstinence) and supporting them in ways that make sense for their lives.
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Building trust and community — Creating safe spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued — because healing happens in connection, not isolation.
In short, drug user health is about health equity: making sure people who use drugs have the same chance to live safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives as anyone else.
Safety Tips and Resources
Below are practical tools and guides to promote safer drug use practices. Explore these resources to learn ways to protect your health and reduce harm:
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Safer Drug Use 101 — a comprehensive resource with evidence-based facts about safer consumption.
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Safer Injection Tips (NEXT Distro) — guidance on safer injection techniques.
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Injection Alternatives — options for safer ways to use when injecting is unsafe or not preferred.
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Rectal Administration (Booty Bumping / “Boofing” / Plugging) — understanding safer practices, risks, and precautions.
Safer Drug Use 101
https://harmreduction.org/issues/safer-drug-use/facts/
Injection Alternatives
Safer Injection Tips with NEXT Distro https://issuu.com/nextdistro/docs/getting_started_with_safe_injection/2
Rectal Administration: Booty Bumping, Boofing, or Plugging
https://issuu.com/nextdistro/docs/bootybumping https://issuu.com/nextdistro/docs/bootybumpingspanish
Join us in creating safer, healthier communities. Learn, act, and share the message: drug user health is community health.