Public Health Agencies

Federal, state and local governments establish public health agencies to promote the health of their populations by providing guidance, resources and services focused on environmental, community and individual health.

Public health agencies can play a key role in supporting harm reduction organizations and efforts through funding, technical assistance and reducing stigma.

Written Resources

• Integrating People with Lived and Living Experience into Overdose Prevention and Response Programs (March 2024)
• Enhancing Harm Reduction Services in Health Departments: Harm Reduction Vending Machines (July 2023)
• Enhancing Harm Reduction Services in Health Departments: Fentanyl Test Strips and Other Drug Checking Equipment (April 2023)
• Establishing Peer Support Services for Overdose Response: A Toolkit for Health Departments (March 2022)
• Tobacco, Mental Health, Substance Use and Data Collection: How to Get an Accurate Baseline of What is Happening in Your State (March 2022)
• Overdose Response and Linkage to Care: A Roadmap for Health Departments (February 2022)
• Identifying and Addressing Health Disparities Related to Tobacco Use Among Individuals with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: An Implementation Toolkit for Statewide Tobacco Control Programs (February 2021)

Webinars

• Enhancing Harm Reduction Services in Health Departments: Harm Reduction Vending Machines (September 2023)
• Enhancing Harm Reduction Services in Health Departments: Fentanyl Test Strips and Other Drug Checking Equipment (May 2023)
• Establishing Culturally Centered Peer Support Services (May 2022)
• Establishing Peer Support Services for Overdose Response: Strategies from the Field (March 2022)
• Linkage to Care to Prevent Overdose: Strategies from the Field (November 2021)