‘Stitching Away Stigma’ provides harm reduction items and encouragement to people with addiction

Indiana health officials are inviting those who can sew, knit or crochet to participate in a program that aims to reduce harm for people living with addiction.

The “Stitching Away Stigma” program provides people who use substances with handmade drawstring bags that can be filled with clean syringes and the overdose reversal medication naloxone. 

Harm reduction programs, like syringe service programs, provide people with tools to prevent the spread of infections like HIV and hepatitis C and connect them to resources, including addiction treatment and recovery groups.

People with substance use disorders who participate in syringe services programs are five times more likely to enter treatment and about three times more likely to stop using substances than those who don’t use the programs, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The IDOH program also provides new hats, scarves and notes of encouragement to recipients. Since the program's launch in August, the health department has received more than 200 bags and other items.

“The Indiana Department of Health has held three stitching events as part of lunch-and-learn sessions, and individuals and groups have also provided items,” said Jeni O’Malley, IDOH spokeswoman, in an email.

Individuals who wish to donate items, learn more and find patterns can visit the IDOH website or contact IDOH harm reduction manager Erika Chapman at (317) 234- 3122 or echapman@isdh.in.gov. 

Contact reporter Darian Benson at dbenson@wfyi.org.