Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Harm reduction is about meeting individuals where they are, not what society wants them to be. It offers a flexible framework from which to meet and evolve with society’s attempts to meet the challenges of substance abuse, mental health issues and homelessness.
“Our mission here at Franklin Street Harm Reduction is to empower individuals to lead their own recoveries,” explained Christina McVeigh, who with her partner, Sean Wright, founded Franklin Street Harm Reduction.
“We greet people with kindness and coffee, and to know that whether they need to connect or whether they need to just be left alone and rest for a minute. This is a safe place for them to be themselves.”
A privately funded 501 (c) nonprofit, Franklin Street Harm Reduction is located at 704 Franklin St. SE in downtown Olympia.
Harm reduction is an evidenced-based approach that works by helping individuals examine what is working well for them in their lives and determines where they are struggling.
Regardless of whether the issue is substance use, mental health — two of the major issues Olympia’s homeless population confronts — harm reduction helps a person identify problematic behaviors and works to reduce the negative effects through self-directed and manageable interventions.
“We support individuals over 18 in all stages of mental health and substance abuse recovery,” continued McVeigh, “and we provide coffee, snacks and resources at 8 a.m. Monday through Friday, and connection to food, shelter and housing resources.”
She added that all individuals over 18 years of age are welcome to drop in and meet with a peer support group, and that there is a drop-in group meeting every weekday at 9 a.m., which provides information on various agencies to support people needing housing, employment, education, and mental health and treatment services.
“We have a team of eight peer support specialists,” McVeigh continued, and about 1,500 square feet of physical public space to work with. We have to program strategically.”
Part of the program is the Thurston County syringe exchange, which operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 5 p.m.
There is also free HIV, Hepatitis C and Syphilis testing on Tuesdays from noon to 3 p.m. A naloxone vending machine, bottles of water and harm reduction supplies are also available.
“Donations are always accepted, but since there is limited space we ask donors to call ahead,” said McVeigh. “We could really use belts and bras.”
As for the near future, Franklin Street Harm Reduction is seeking to expand its programming, conduct more outreach, and work with schools and community members.
“Word is out in what we are doing, and we will continue to meet people where they are in providing help to them,” McVeigh concluded.
For more information about Franklin Street Harm Reduction, click here or call 360-236-7866.
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JW
"Harm reduction" is the new way of saying enablement. A focus on "self-directed interventions" have helped give us the Jungle.
Tuesday, November 4 Report this
Wesley
Progressives dismiss science they object to by shrieking "lived experience!!!!!" but when conservatives claim "lived experience", progressives shriek "we have the evidence based science!!!!!"
Tuesday, November 4 Report this
TomBoucher
This long-term user of mental health services can afford to go to systems like Kaiser. Not everybody can, not when the need is like a tidal wave. Even if you're lucky enough to go to expensive providers, they're going to tell you to find community and volunteer places just like this. Glad to see this open up and join the network of local recovery groups that quietly provide the vast majority of care.
Wednesday, November 5 Report this
Callie
We know punishment doesn't provide motivation. Why not try compassion?
Wednesday, November 5 Report this
Mugwump
I just question whether this concept is truly compassionate or if it just enables people who are either unwilling or unable to make healthy decisions for themselves to continue to harm themselves and their community. Is it truly harm reduction or is it a cop-out. What I feel like I see almost daily are people who are committing themselves to a course of action that leads to a very bad outcome. And it saddens me that we as a society have abandoned them in their illnesses and need.
Wednesday, November 5 Report this
Localhorizon
There’s an interesting series of studies about the connection between moral outrage and negative feelings about harm reduction policies and practices.
I’d guess that moral outrage, which seems to be connected to judgements about lifestyle, is the factor that limits folks, regardless of political leanings, ability to recognize the effectiveness of programs like this.
I’m in support of any program that reduces disease and death in our communities. I appreciate meeting people where they are and using support systems to buy them the time to figure out what’s next.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022103122000622
Wednesday, November 5 Report this
Snevets
Thank you for answering WWJD.
Wednesday, November 5 Report this
KindCounselor
While I understand the frustration many feel because the social issues of homelessness and mental health don’t seem to be getting better in this country, this story is pointing out where someone is trying to step up and make a difference!!
For those who are questioning harm reduction practices, as the author states, this is a research based approach which has been extensively published. This research is readily available from the CDC, NIH, or SAMSHA if one would like to learn more.
Also, as the author clearly points out, this center is being privately funded ( no tax $ going into it).
Wednesday, November 5 Report this
Southsoundguy
Dumb.
Wednesday, November 5 Report this
JulesJames
Thurston County "Syringe Services" is funding this. Please contact your County Commissioner to eliminate Syringe Services (Program Q22-D235 - HIV/AIDS Prevention) from the county budget. The 1990s are over.
5 days ago Report this