Your Stories: Mercy’s Harm Reduction Efforts Support Safer Communities
March 18, 2025Categories: Colleague Corner
As Massachusetts continues to expand harm reduction efforts to combat the overdose crisis and support public health, Mercy Medical Center’s Behavioral Health/Addiction Consult team plays a key role in the local community.
A Westfield State University student assembles a harm reduction kit for a patient.
While state programs like needle exchange sites, naloxone distribution, and harm reduction supplies aim to reduce the risks associated with substance use, the Mercy team works to connect individuals to vital healthcare and recovery services in our emergency room, inpatient, and on discharge.
Through collaboration with Tapestry Health, our Behavioral Health/Addiction Consult team provides harm reduction initiatives to save lives and foster a compassionate approach to our patients with substance use disorder. Our team includes a physician, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, and crisis clinicians to provide a variety of services. We also have several students from local colleges and universities dedicated to serving our population.
Submitted by Heather Colon, BSN, RN, Recovery Support Coordinator, Addiction Consult Team, Mercy Medical Center.
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