URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) — As opioid and other drug-related overdoses continue to affect communities nationwide, local public health officials are emphasizing harm reduction strategies to save lives and reduce health risks. Joe Trotter, Harm Reduction Program Coordinator at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD), spoke recently on Focus, a weekly news and public affairs program, about the district’s work to provide safer injection supplies and overdose prevention medication to people who use drugs.
“Our goal is to reduce harm,” Trotter said. “We don’t tell people to stop using drugs. Instead, we ask how we can help them do it as safely as possible.” He compared the program to seatbelts: “Cars existed before seatbelts, and people still got hurt or died. We didn’t remove the cars—we made them safer. Harm reduction works in the same way. We meet people where they are and provide tools to prevent serious harm.”
Trotter explained that the program has two main focuses: providing clean syringes to reduce the spread of bloodborne diseases like hepatitis C, and distributing Narcan, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. “When someone injects a drug, there’s blood contact,” Trotter said. “Sharing needles increases the risk of transmitting hepatitis C and other infections. Providing clean syringes has been proven to reduce this risk and keeps our community healthier.”
The CUPHD program distributes syringes through multiple channels to meet people where they are, including in-person appointments at the health department, an after-hours vending machine, and home deliveries arranged online. “Last year, we distributed around 300,000 syringes in the greater Champaign-Urbana area,” Trotter said. “That doesn’t mean people are using more drugs—it means we’re reaching them more effectively and keeping the rates of hepatitis C low.”
To hear the entire interview, please listen here: Stream episode Focus – Harm Reduction Program CUPHD by Illini Media Group podcast | Listen online for free on SoundCloud
Trotter emphasized the importance of accessibility and anonymity. “Participants in our program are legally protected to carry more than 100 syringes, and we don’t collect names or phone numbers,” he said. “We remove barriers so people can access these life-saving supplies without fear or stigma.”
Overdose prevention is another critical component of the program. Narcan, which can reverse opioid overdoses, is now legally available to anyone in Illinois. “Overdoses are accidents, and they’re unpredictable,” Trotter said. “You can’t always save yourself when you’re overdosing, so bystanders equipped with Narcan can intervene and prevent deaths.” He added that the program provides Narcan kits widely: “We often give kits to people who then share them with neighbors or family. The more Narcan we distribute, the fewer overdose deaths we see. The data is simple—more access equals more lives saved.”
Trotter also addressed the stigma around Narcan and harm reduction services. “Some people think carrying Narcan means you use drugs. That’s not true. It means you’re prepared to help someone in an emergency. These are safe, effective interventions that empower the community to save lives.”
For residents interested in learning more or accessing services, Trotter encourages visiting the CUPHD website at c-uphd.org, which provides resources and contact information for the Harm Reduction Program. the Harm Reduction page can be found here: Harm Reduction.
“Community partnership is vital,” Trotter said. “Whether it’s supporting harm reduction programs or being informed about public health issues, every action helps make Champaign County safer, healthier, and more resilient.”