St Ann’s Corner of Harm Reduction

Specialties

Meeting drug users where they are: on the streets and actively engaged in high-​risk lifestyles or within the center, where they seek an individualized and comprehensive cluster of healing services.

History

Established in 1990.

The St. Ann’s Corner of Harm Reduction (SACHR) is a culturally diverse, community-​based non-​profit organization. We are committed to reducing the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the potential for harm associated with unsafe drug use and unprotected sex in a manner that is nonjudgmental and culturally and linguistically appropriate. We view our public health interventions as investments in our community that are immediately effective.

Our grassroots work began with a needle exchange program to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS among intravenous drug users in the South Bronx. This practice is now accepted as the international gold standard for disease prevention and endorsed by public health groups, such as the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association and the U.S. Surgeon General.