NYC Harm Reduction in Shelters

December 2025 Newsletter

New Drug Risk Alert!
Medetomidine

Medetomine is a veterinary tranquilizer now in the street drug supply that can cause euphoria, confusion, sedation (extreme sleepiness) and hallucinations. It is 100 times stronger than xylazine.

View this fact sheet from NEXT Distro for more info on medetomidine.

Find more harm education resources in the Harm Reduction in Shelters Toolkit.

Harm Reduction Skills Share

Harm Reduction Skills Share

December 17 (12 - 1 PM)

Topic: K2

Guest speaker: Jose Martinez, National Harm Reduction Coalition

Register

December 23 (2 - 3 PM)

Topic: Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder

Register

Open to NYC Department of Homeless Services staff who have completed DHS Harm Reduction Training. Join us for an interactive discussion focused on supporting shelter staff working with clients who use substances. This workshop will include in-depth exploration of topics like risk reduction counseling, overdose safety planning, and effective treatment referrals. Participants will also have opportunities to ask questions, troubleshoot issues, and share best practices.

Trainings for Shelter Staff

Training For All Shelter Staff:

Understanding Trauma and Building Positive Environments in Families with Children Shelters. December 3 (3 – 4PM). Register

Harm Reduction Training. December 8 (2 – 3 PM). Register for the live training.

• Take the online Harm Reduction training anytime on Absorb. 

Overdose Response and Naloxone Training. December 10 (2 – 3 PM). Register

NYC Mental Health Housing 101. December 12 (9:30 AM – 12PM). Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS). Gain a comprehensive understanding of the NYC OMH mental health housing spectrum and how to navigate the HRA 2010e application and referral process. Register

• Learn about the CUCS Housing Resource Center 

Perinatal Substance Use Disorders. December 12 (1:30 – 3 PM). NYU McSilver Training and Technical Assistance Centers. Free CME provided! Trauma-informed, family-centered, equity-oriented strategies to engage pregnant and parenting individuals experiencing substance use and mental health challenges. Register

Training for Shelter Overdose Prevention Champion Trainer:

Overdose Response and Naloxone Distribution Train the Trainer. December 10 & January 14 (10 AM – Noon). Required for Shelter Overdose Prevention Champions. Register

• See the flowchart of roles and responsibilities for Overdose Prevention Champions and Responders

Trainings and Resources for Clinical Staff

Series on buprenorphine for medical providers with a focus on treating people experiencing homelessness (flyer):

• Extended-Release Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder. December 2 (4 – 5 PM). Clinical Education Initiative. Extended-use buprenorphine for initiation and maintenance treatment of opioid use disorder. Register
• Buprenorphine in Practice: A Case-based Discussion. December 16 (4 – 5 PM). Clinical Education Initiative. Clinical cases to illustrate common barriers to buprenorphine treatment. Register

Alcohol harm reduction resources:

Strategies to Reduce Alcohol Use and Associated Risks. Providers Clinical Support System. This 7-minute video provides a clinical overview of strategies to reduce harm from alcohol use.

Harm Reduction Counseling for DHS Clients

DHS Harm Reduction Program is now offering weekly mental health and substance use counseling for DHS clients at no charge, no insurance required. Counseling will provide a confidential, nonjudgmental space for clients to seek support to improve their health and wellness. 

Clients do not need to want to stop, change, or discuss their substance use in order to participate.

This service is available on Mondays and Fridays by phone or online. To refer a client, complete the referral form with all available information and submit it to harmreduction@dss.nyc.gov with the client’s name and “Referral for Counseling” in the subject line.

Jobs & Opportunities

Open Jobs

• Community Health Worker Trainee @ CAI
• CASAC Counselor (Bronx, Queens) @ Acacia Network
• CASAC (Brooklyn) @ Acacia Network
• Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (Queens, Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn) @ Acacia Network
• Harm Reduction - Certified Peer Recovery Advocate (CRPA) @ Project Renewal Shelters
• Peer Advocate @ VIP Shelters
• Peer Navigator/Front Desk @ VIP Shelters
• Harm Reduction Specialist @ SUS Shelters

Health Care for People Experiencing Homelessness

H+H Express Care

(845) 397-2273

www.expresscare.nyc/dhs

Medical and behavioral health urgent care and medications. Online or by phone. 24/7, no out-of-pocket cost for DHS clients. 

H+H Safety Net Clinics

Primary and specialty care for people experiencing homelessness. Clinics located at Bellevue, Lincoln, Woodhull, and Elmhurst Hospitals. Learn more and refer.

NYC Health Map

Find health services including substance use and harm reduction programs.

988

Call, text of visit on line for counseling and referrals to care.

Connect!

The NYC Harm Reduction in Shelters Strategic Plan (2023-2024) was developed to build capacity of NYC shelters to prevent overdose and improve health and wellness. Each month, we will share tools and resources to support shelter staff to help clients reduce their risk.