Welcome to the Topaz Harm Reduction Hub

This page is a growing space dedicated to harm reduction through education, research, and real-world impact. Whether you're with a community organization, in healthcare, or simply looking to learn, this is where we share resources, insights, and stories that matter.

At Topaz, we believe that access to tools like harm reduction strips, paired with knowledge and community support, can drive real change. We're here to support those doing the work to keep people safer one conversation, one connection, and one test strip at a time.

Breaking It Down: The What, Why, and How of Harm Reduction

CONCEPT: What harm reduction really is?

Harm reduction is a public health approach focused on minimizing the risks associated with drug use without requiring abstinence. Instead of judgment, it offers practical tools like fentanyl test strips, naloxone, and syringe programs to reduce the chances of overdose, disease transmission, and other harms. It meets people where they are, prioritizing safety, compassion, and informed choices.

PURPOSE: Why does harm reduction exist?

At its core, harm reduction exists to keep people alive and connected. Not everyone is ready, or able to stop using substances, but everyone deserves access to tools that help them stay safe. Whether it’s testing a substance for fentanyl, having naloxone on hand, or accessing honest health information, these supports give people choices and open the door to care when and if they need it.

PRACTICE: How does harm reduction work in practice?

Harm reduction uses simple, science-backed strategies that are often community-driven. That might look like fentanyl test strips at a local clinic, mobile outreach teams distributing naloxone, or peer educators sharing knowledge and safer use tips. It’s hands-on, nonjudgmental, and responsive to the actual needs of people in different settings urban or rural, housed or unhoused, in recovery or actively using.

IMPACT: What difference does it make?

The impact of harm reduction is real and measurable. Communities that offer harm reduction tools see fewer overdoses, lower transmission of HIV and hepatitis C, and stronger connections between people and support services. But beyond the numbers, it builds trust. It creates space for conversations that save lives and opens pathways to health, healing, and hope.

Real Tools That Make a Difference

Harm reduction isn’t a concept, it’s action. And Topaz harm reduction strips are part of that action, showing up where it matters most: in real communities, in real time.

Whether it’s checking a substance for fentanyl or xylazine, our strips are helping people make safer choices and take control of their health. Paired with access to naloxone, drug awareness, and peer-led education, these tools become lifelines turning moments of risk into moments of care.

From a test strip that sparks a conversation to a shared experience that builds trust, harm reduction saves lives.

At Topaz, we're proud to support the people doing everything they can to keep each other safe.