About Hips
Hips: A Harm Reduction Community Based Agency in Washington, DC
Hips is a harm reduction community based agency located in Washington, DC that has been serving the nation's most vulnerable since 1993. The organization delivers programs and services aimed at helping the community lead healthier self-determined lives. Hips is committed to providing non-judgmental support and resources to individuals who are often marginalized by society.
The organization's mission is to promote the health, rights, and dignity of individuals and communities impacted by drug use. Hips believes that everyone deserves access to healthcare, regardless of their social or economic status. The organization provides a range of services including syringe exchange programs, overdose prevention education, HIV/HCV testing and counseling, case management services for people living with HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis C virus (HCV), as well as advocacy work on behalf of people who use drugs.
Syringe Exchange Programs
One of the core services provided by Hips is syringe exchange programs (SEPs). SEPs are an evidence-based public health intervention that reduces the transmission of blood-borne infections such as HIV/AIDS and HCV among people who inject drugs (PWID). SEPs provide sterile injection equipment such as needles and syringes in exchange for used ones. This helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases while also reducing needle-stick injuries among PWID.
Overdose Prevention Education
Another important service provided by Hips is overdose prevention education. Overdose deaths have been on the rise across America due to opioid addiction crisis. In response to this epidemic, HIPS offers training sessions on how to recognize signs of an overdose and how to administer naloxone – a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose – safely.
HIV/HCV Testing & Counseling
In addition to SEPs and overdose prevention education, HIPS also provides free confidential HIV/HCV testing & counseling services for those at risk or living with these viruses. These tests help identify those infected early so they can receive treatment before it progresses into AIDS or liver disease caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Case Management Services
For those living with HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis C virus (HCV), case management services are available through HIPs' program called "Positive Pathways." This program provides comprehensive care coordination including medical care referrals; housing assistance; transportation assistance; mental health counseling; substance abuse treatment referrals; legal aid referrals; employment assistance referrals etc., all designed specifically for individuals living with these viruses.
Advocacy Work
Finally but not least important service provided by HIPs is advocacy work on behalf of people who use drugs which includes policy change efforts at local level like decriminalization initiatives etc., lobbying efforts at state level like funding allocation towards harm reduction initiatives etc., national level advocacy efforts like supporting federal legislation related drug policy reform etc..
Conclusion
In conclusion,HIPs has been serving its community since 1993 through its various harm reduction programs aimed at promoting health equity among marginalized populations affected by drug use.HIPs' commitment towards non-judgmental support coupled with evidence-based interventions makes it one-of-a-kind agency dedicated towards improving lives within its community.HIPs' impact goes beyond just providing direct service delivery but also advocating for systemic changes needed within our society so everyone can live healthy self-determined lives without fear being stigmatized because they choose different paths than others do!
hips.org
