The document describes PreventionWorks!, an organization in Washington D.C. that provides harm reduction services including syringe exchange and healthcare referrals to injection drug users. It aims to curb HIV and other diseases among drug users and their partners/children. Services include mobile outreach exchange program and wrap-around services. Georgetown University students volunteered with PreventionWorks! by making kits, logging client services, and interacting with clients. They also worked on projects to provide clean water, wound care information, and listings of health resources to clients. The experience provided insights into life as a drug user and the context of drug use, while applying medical knowledge in real world settings.

1. PreventionWorks!PreventionWorks!
Harm Reduction in the Nation’s CapitalHarm Reduction in the Nation’s Capital
2501 Benning Rd. NE2501 Benning Rd. NE
Washington, DC 20002Washington, DC 20002
202.588.5580202.588.5580
www.preventionworksdc.orgwww.preventionworksdc.org

2. Service Learning TeamService Learning Team
 Georgetown University StudentsGeorgetown University Students
– Erin DohertyErin Doherty
– John HawesJohn Hawes
– Allison BoydAllison Boyd
– Natasha LloydNatasha Lloyd
– Megan BarberMegan Barber
– Matt ScrivenMatt Scriven
– Shenelle-Marie WiseShenelle-Marie Wise
– Ellen StolleEllen Stolle
 Faculty Team LeaderFaculty Team Leader
– Mary Beth Levin, Associate ProfessorMary Beth Levin, Associate Professor
 Community PartnersCommunity Partners
– Junette McWilliams, Director of ProgramsJunette McWilliams, Director of Programs
– Reggie Jackson, Mobile Unit Team LeaderReggie Jackson, Mobile Unit Team Leader

3. Mission ofMission of PreventionWorks!PreventionWorks!
 Curbing the spread of HIV and other blood-borneCurbing the spread of HIV and other blood-borne
diseases among:diseases among:
– injection and other drug usersinjection and other drug users
– their sexual partnerstheir sexual partners
– newborn childrennewborn children
 Focus onFocus on harm reductionharm reduction - a way to improve and- a way to improve and
save lives by providing support for positive change insave lives by providing support for positive change in
a respectful and non-judgmental environmenta respectful and non-judgmental environment

4. History ofHistory of PreventionWorks!PreventionWorks!
 19981998 – Officially authorized as provider of needle– Officially authorized as provider of needle
exchange services in DC; private fundingexchange services in DC; private funding
 1998-20071998-2007 – DC only US city where tax dollars banned– DC only US city where tax dollars banned
from supporting needle exchangefrom supporting needle exchange
 20072007 – Congress removes ban on federal funding for– Congress removes ban on federal funding for
needle-exchange programsneedle-exchange programs
 20082008 – DC Mayor Adrian Fenty allocates $300,000 of– DC Mayor Adrian Fenty allocates $300,000 of
public funding topublic funding to PreventionWorks!PreventionWorks!

5. HIV/AIDS Issues in DCHIV/AIDS Issues in DC
 DC has highest rate of new AIDS cases in countryDC has highest rate of new AIDS cases in country
– 128 per 100,000 compared to 14 per 100,000 nationally128 per 100,000 compared to 14 per 100,000 nationally
 1 in 20 DC residents is HIV positive1 in 20 DC residents is HIV positive
 1 in 7 African-American males is infected1 in 7 African-American males is infected
 1/3 of AIDS cases in the US can be traced to injection drug use1/3 of AIDS cases in the US can be traced to injection drug use
 30% of new AIDS cases can be connected to a re-used needle30% of new AIDS cases can be connected to a re-used needle

6. Community ServicesCommunity Services
 Mobile Outreach Unit-Syringe Exchange ProgramMobile Outreach Unit-Syringe Exchange Program
– Exchange syringes with registered participantsExchange syringes with registered participants
– Provide harm reduction tools, HIV testing, education, food, clothingProvide harm reduction tools, HIV testing, education, food, clothing
 Wrap-Around ServicesWrap-Around Services
– Drug treatment referralsDrug treatment referrals
– Condom distribution and safe sex information-educationCondom distribution and safe sex information-education
– Overdose preventionOverdose prevention
– Support groupsSupport groups
– HIV testing/counseling/prevention educationHIV testing/counseling/prevention education
– Hepatitis C and STI referrals for testing/prevention educationHepatitis C and STI referrals for testing/prevention education

7. Community AudienceCommunity Audience

8. Our RolesOur Roles
 Behind the scenes:Behind the scenes:
– Received training to volunteer on vanReceived training to volunteer on van
– Made safe sex and wound care kitsMade safe sex and wound care kits
 On the mobile van:On the mobile van:
– Logged clients into computer – name, date of birth, syringesLogged clients into computer – name, date of birth, syringes
exchanged and received, other services usedexchanged and received, other services used
– Set up supplies for exchange, asked clients what they needed,Set up supplies for exchange, asked clients what they needed,
filled bags with suppliesfilled bags with supplies
– Gave out food and/or condomsGave out food and/or condoms
– Interacted with community we were servingInteracted with community we were serving

15. Other ProjectsOther Projects
 Water Drive (Ellen and Natasha)Water Drive (Ellen and Natasha)
– Clean water is needed by injection drug users to both prevent dehydrationClean water is needed by injection drug users to both prevent dehydration
and decrease the risk of disease transmission through contaminatedand decrease the risk of disease transmission through contaminated
waterwater
– Goal of project is to collect bottled water through donations andGoal of project is to collect bottled water through donations and
fundraisingfundraising
 Wound Care (Matt and Shenelle-Marie)Wound Care (Matt and Shenelle-Marie)
– One-page harm reduction flyer listing sterile injection techniques,One-page harm reduction flyer listing sterile injection techniques,
symptoms of infections, and conditions requiring medical treatmentsymptoms of infections, and conditions requiring medical treatment
– Purpose of this year’s project to provide flyer to clients, get theirPurpose of this year’s project to provide flyer to clients, get their
feedback, and develop a final versionfeedback, and develop a final version
 Medical Mapping (Megan and Allison)Medical Mapping (Megan and Allison)
– Resource listing health clinics, locations, insurance information, etc.Resource listing health clinics, locations, insurance information, etc.
– Purpose of this year’s project to provide flyer to clients, get theirPurpose of this year’s project to provide flyer to clients, get their
feedback, and develop a final versionfeedback, and develop a final version

16. Lessons and ReflectionsLessons and Reflections
 Learned from clients andLearned from clients and PreventionWorks!PreventionWorks! employees:employees:
– life as an injection drug userlife as an injection drug user
– homelessnesshomelessness
– living with HIV/AIDSliving with HIV/AIDS
– affects on familiesaffects on families
 Larger context of drug use (economics, social factors,Larger context of drug use (economics, social factors,
etc.)etc.)
 Real world application of medical knowledgeReal world application of medical knowledge
 Challenging assumptions - is needle exchange enabling?Challenging assumptions - is needle exchange enabling?