harm reduction
Respect. Safety. Support.
Meeting people where they are, not where others think they should be.
At DAP Health, we believe everyone deserves access to care — without stigma, shame, or fear.
Our harm reduction approach supports people who use drugs, live with addiction, or face high-risk situations by prioritizing safety, dignity, and health over judgment. Whether someone is ready to stop using or not, our services are designed to reduce harm and open the door to healing.
According to the National Harm Reduction Coalition, harm reduction is “a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. Harm reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who use drugs.” DAP Health supports people who use drugs by providing:
- Education and resources
- Risk reduction tools
- Connections to support services
Statistics 2022:
- 1,042 participants served
- 1,269 syringes taken in via participant dropoff and organized community pickup
- 839 referrals to recovery centers, primary care, and mental health
- 82 overdose reversals
Statistics 2023:
- 1,317 participants served
- 8,501 syringes taken in via participant dropoff and organized community pickup
- 679 referrals to recovery centers, primary care, and mental health
- 267 overdose reversals
Statistics 2024:
- 7,169 participants served
- 70,645 syringes taken in via participant dropoff and organized community pickup
- 524 referrals to recovery centers, primary care, and mental health
- 728 overdose reversals
Harm Reduction Team Palm Springs Schedule
Mobile Outreach
Monday: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., call for locations
Tuesday: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Methodist Church, Alejo & N. Sunrise
Wednesday: 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. & 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., call for locations
Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Arenas & El Segundo
Fixed Site
1445 N Sunrise Way, Suite 102
Last participant – 15 minutes before closing
Monday & Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Vending Machine
302 E. Arenas Road, Palm Springs
Contact us
Frequently asked questions
Doesn’t DAP Health’s harm reduction program enable people?
Yes! Entirely consistent with the nonprofit’s history and mission to end HIV and to provide comprehensive health care to all, the program enables people to be safer, and to live their healthiest and happiest life through education and connection to care.
What does DAP Health’s Harm Reduction team provide at various locations throughout the Coachella Valley?
- Free HIV and hep C testing.
- New syringes to reduce HIV and hep C transmission.
- Other safer use paraphernalia such as safer smoking kits and new cottons, cookers, tourniquets, and other injecting supplies.
- Safer sex kits (condoms, lube).
- Fentanyl and xylazine strips for testing drugs before use to decrease the likelihood of overdose.
- Naloxone and Narcan to help reverse the potentially fatal effects of opioid overdose.
What referrals does DAP Health provide?
- Peer support specialists.
- Early intervention specialists (for those with HIV and/or hep C who need treatment).
- Local recovery and treatment centers, and substance use counselors.
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Insurance enrollment and connection to health care/other social support services.
How does harm reduction help prevent overdoses and disease?
By distributing naloxone, we help save lives during opioid overdoses. By offering clean supplies and education, we reduce the spread of HIV, hepatitis C, and other infections. And by creating a safe space for people to engage with care, we make it more likely they’ll return when they’re ready for more.
Is harm reduction just for people who use drugs?
Not at all. Harm reduction also supports people engaged in sex work, living unhoused, or navigating mental health challenges. It’s about giving people tools to stay safer and healthier—whatever risks they face—while building relationships that can lead to long-term wellness.
Do you have to be sober to get help?
No. We meet people exactly where they are, regardless of their readiness to stop using substances. We don’t require abstinence to access care, because we believe everyone has the right to health and compassion—no matter their current circumstances.
What do I do if I see discarded syringes in public areas?
Please call these numbers for a cleanup.
What is harm reduction?
According to the National Harm Reduction Coalition, it’s “a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. Harm reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who use drugs.”