A faith-based organization in rural North Carolina responding to the opioid crisis by delivering harm reduction services
Olive Branch Ministries serves seven counties in western North Carolina at the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. This faith-based organization partners with local human service organizations, faith communities, hospitals, mental and public health agencies, and private corporations and citizens to work with those in need of harm reduction services. Services provided include:
- Points of Care - mobile outreach by staff and volunteers for syringe access, naloxone distribution, peer support, and justice center education
- Homeless Outreach - active outreach to shelters and tent cities to ensure that these individuals have food, clothing, and hygiene products
- Tri-County Opioid Overdose Response Team - collaborates with the post-overdose response team to link individuals to treatment and provide harm reduction education
- Hosts Medication Assisted Recovery Anonymous meetings
The organization aims to extend hope and extend life through non judgmental interactions with those they are called to serve, assisting individuals to make any positive change which may or may not include treatment. More information on the program can be found in these news articles here and here.
There has been a recent emergence in integrating harm reduction services into faith-based organizations. This effort is led nationally by Faith in Harm Reduction.