When Tessa’s daughter asked for harm reduction tools like fentanyl test strips and naloxone, Tessa shared them to help her daughter and friends stay safe.
Tessa is a rehabilitation counselor in Santa Clara County and a strong advocate for harm reduction. They are dedicated to sharing information about substance use and substance use disorder with young people. Their hope is that “…we can have young people being able to talk about substances and not be so scared about it.” Tessa knows that accurate information and resources reduce harm and keep people safe.
When Tessa’s daughter asked for harm reduction tools like fentanyl test strips and naloxone, Tessa shared them to help her daughter and friends stay safe. This decision made a big impact. After testing their substances, her daughter’s friend discovered they contained fentanyl. These resources protected them from a possible overdose. For Tessa, it was a powerful reminder that sharing knowledge with young people makes a huge difference and helps them make safer choices.
To learn more about harm reduction, visit harmreduction.org. Find harm reduction resources in Santa Clara County at publichealth.sccgov.org/harm-reduction-program