Data That Demonstrate the Need.

Harm Reduction services have been proven to reduce HIV risk and get folks connected to HIV testing and treatment. This is important to health and racial justice in South Carolina because of the high rate of new HIV cases in South Carolina among people of color.

In 2020, the rate of new HIV infections among Black South Carolinians was 9 times higher than white; and the rate of HIV new infections among Latinx South Carolinians was 4.5 times higher. (AIDSVu data). Safe syringe programs rooted in communities of color could have a dramatic impact on this health disparity.

South Carolina is among a group of U.S. states with the highest overdose death rate, at 34.9/100,000 in 2020. (CDC 2020 Drug Overdose Death Rates).

The take away message is that harm reduction programs are an evidence-based way to increase health equity and save lives in South Carolina.

If you are interested in supporting advocacy for this work email us at policy@harmreduction.org.