Drug checking, or the use of technology to determine the content of illicit substances, is an evidence-based strategy to reduce drug-related harms, including overdose. The practice has not been funded or brought to scale in many regions that need it.
Facente Consulting provided infrastructure support to the newly funded East Bay Drug Checking steering committee, which is comprised of members from the lead organization, HIV Education and Prevention Project of Alameda County (HEPPAC), along with staff from Punks with Lunch and NEED, the syringe services programs implementing this pilot program. Facente Consulting supported the implementation plan and the diverse goals of the steering committee by providing weekly coalition meeting facilitation, strategic support, and capacity building to HEPPAC. Facente Consulting produced infographics that showed impact of this pilot project and uplifted data about drug checking results for a wider audience.