Empowering Communities and Saving Lives through Comprehensive Harm Reduction Initiatives

Who We Are

We believe that there is no effective delivery of Harm Reduction, if it excludes those, who use drugs.

Introduction:
Since 1999, I have been deeply immersed in the field of health and social care, focusing specifically on substance misuse. Driven by personal experiences and witnessing the profound impact of substances, including alcohol, on individuals, communities, and families, my motivation to make a difference in this sector is unwavering. Regrettably, people who use substances continue to face marginalisation and stigmatisation, resulting in an alarming increase in overdose-related deaths. At Freedom2Reduce, our mission is to mitigate these risks through comprehensive harm reduction strategies, raising awareness, providing education, and offering training to individuals and professionals alike.

Extensive Experience and Expertise:
With a rich background spanning voluntary organisations, charities, and statutory providers, our team brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Throughout our careers, we have worked in various settings, including residential rehabilitation centers, abstinence-based day programs, crisis detox facilities, prescribing services for opioid substitution therapy (OST), inpatient mental health services, community outreach programs, and more. We are well-versed in conducting addiction and mental health assessments for individuals struggling with substance and alcohol use. Additionally, we have developed expertise in delivering comprehensive training on harm reduction, drug awareness, and naloxone administration, including training the trainer programs. Our knowledge also encompasses criminal justice interventions and pathways to treatment, crisis intervention, working with co-occurring disorders, and forensic populations.
Our Work in Harm Reduction:
Over the past two years, our efforts in harm reduction have yielded notable results. We have successfully equipped professionals with the necessary skills to identify and respond promptly to overdoses through our comprehensive training programs on overdose recognition and naloxone administration. Moreover, our focus on education has empowered individuals who use substances, ensuring they are well informed about the ongoing risks associated with emerging substances such as NPSs, Fentanyl, and Nitazines. We have witnessed the growth and success of peer-led interventions and coproduced harm reduction initiatives, alongside the increased distribution of naloxone by peers in the community.
0
Professionals
0 +
Trainings Done
0 +
Combined Yrs Experience
%
Quality

Freedom2reduce

Freedom2reduce is dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact on the lives of individuals affected by substance misuse. Through our comprehensive harm reduction initiatives, we strive to raise awareness, reduce harm, and foster a supportive environment for recovery. Our goal is to empower both professionals and individuals who use drugs with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to save lives, practice safer substance use, and thrive in all aspects of their lives. Together, we can build a society that embraces compassion, understanding, and the belief that recovery is possible for everyone, regardless of their circumstances.

Vision

At Freedom2Reduce, our vision is to create a society where the needs of individuals affected by drug use are met with compassion, empathy, and respect. We firmly believe in upholding human rights and promoting equality, recognising that vulnerability to substance use occurs across multiple levels of influence, including the individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels.

Aims

Our aims are multifaceted. We seek to improve awareness of the harms associated with substance use, actively support and aid individuals in reducing problematic drug use, enhance the quality and effectiveness of service delivery across various providers, promote and share good practices in harm reduction, and sustain recovery from drug problems. We firmly believe in the power of collaboration and inclusion, actively involving individuals who use substances in the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs and policies. Addressing and combating stigma is integral to our work, ensuring that people who use drugs receive high-quality care and support, free from discrimination.

Values

Our values revolve around fostering social cohesion, enhancing mental well-being, and improving health-related quality of life. We emphasise the importance of providing non-judgmental and non-coercive services and resources to people who use drugs, ensuring their voices are heard in their recovery journey. We strive to reduce harm as a primary moral principle, valuing the worth of individuals and fostering their capacity for decision-making and personal development.