Guilford County, Greensboro partner to host International Harm Reduction Day expo

The Guilford County Division of Public Health is partnering with the city of Greensboro to host a resource fair for International Harm Reduction Day.

The special event highlights public health practices and measures that can help individuals lead healthier lives and prioritize their well-being. People will be able to receive Naloxone training and learn about overdose prevention and sexual health resources offered locally.

Amanda Clark, drug and injury prevention manager for Guilford County, says harm reduction education can empower individuals to make safer choices.

"Even if somebody is not using drugs themselves, they may know someone who is or they have a neighbor down the street from them that is that they don't know about," she says. "It's one of those things that catches a lot of people by surprise, and they don't know what they don't know."

Clark says community events are helpful because people sometimes feel nervous discussing health concerns.

"In a lot of ways, stigma can lead directly to death in many cases because people are just so afraid of getting the help that they need and reaching out and making those connections," she says. "So they just never tell anybody about their struggle, and then something bad happens."

The Harm Reduction Hangout and Resource Expo will be held at Next Door Beer Bar and Bottle Shop in Greensboro at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.