Resources

EVERYONE HAS RIGHTS. These tips are brought to you by ACLU Washington please visit https://www.aclu-wa.org/docs/what-do-if-you-are-stopped-police-0 for more information. 

Tips For Safety

• STAY CALM AND STAY PUT. Don’t run or suddenly move.
• KEEP YOUR HANDS where the officer can see them and free of any objects if possible.
• NEVER TOUCH any police officer.
• FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS. You can always make a complaint later if you feel your rights were violated.

You Have The Right To:

• ASK IF YOU ARE FREE TO LEAVE. If the answer is yes, DO IT! Not every encounter with police is a “stop” and you may be free to just walk away.
• REMAIN SILENT. Seriously, you don’t have to talk! You can say, “I’m exercising my right to remain silent” and then don’t speak.
• RECORD the interaction, but be aware that holding or reaching for a mobile device may be viewed as threatening.
• ASK FOR A LAWYER immediately if you are arrested or taken to a police station. You don’t have to know a lawyer; you can ask for information to call one and they must provide it.
• DECLINE A REQUEST TO SEARCH your car, your home, your belongings, or your person.
  • Calmly say “I do not consent to a search.”
  • A warrantless search is allowed in some circumstances, but it is always helpful to say you don’t consent to a search.
  • An officer can pat you down if they suspect a weapon.
  • An officer can require that you show your ID if you are driving a car or in certain cases involving alcohol or marijuana.
  • An officer must have a warrant to enter your home unless they are responding to an emergency.

If You Feel Your Rights Have Been Violated:

• WRITE DOWN everything you can remember, including the officer’s name(s) and/or badge number(s).
• TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OF ANY INJURIES you incurred and SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION even for minor injuries.
• CONTACT A LAWYER  and consider FILING A COMPLAINT.

• NASTAD - SSP Policy Environments Across The U.S.  
  NASTAD - Syringe Service Program Policy Environments Across The United States
• SAMHSA - Rights for Participants on MAT  
  This brochure explains the Federal laws that prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities and how they protect people receiving Medication Assisted Treated (MAT). MAT includes a medication (methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone).
• ACLU - KNOW YOUR RIGHTS  
  Being stopped by police is a stressful experience that can go bad quickly. Here we describe what the law requires and also offer strategies for handling police encounters. We want to be clear: The burden of de-escalation does not fall on private citizens — it falls on police officers. However, you cannot assume officers will behave in a way that protects your safety or that they will respect your rights even after you assert them. You may be able to reduce risk to yourself by staying calm and not exhibiting hostility toward the officers. The truth is that there are situations where people have done everything they could to put an officer at ease, yet still ended up injured or killed.
• ACLU - Immigrants’ Rights  
  Regardless of your immigration status, you have guaranteed rights under the Constitution. Learn more here about your rights as an immigrant, and how to express them.
• ACLU - Know Your LGBTQ Rights  
  Provided by the ACLU, The legal landscape for LGBTQ people is constantly evolving. If you think you have been discriminated against, contact the ACLU LGBT Project and we can help you figure out whether you are protected under federal or state laws.
• ACLU - What to Do When Interacting with ICE  
  Provided by the ACLU who has joined forces with Brooklyn Defender Services to create and distribute a series of powerful and informative videos based on true stories to provide real life action points for what to do when ICE is outside our doors, is in our homes, stops us in our communities, and/or arrests us.

Find practitioners authorized to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine by state. https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/practitioner-program-data/treatment-practitioner-locator

• Find a MAT Provider near you  
  The Washington Recovery Help Line is a program of Crisis Connections. We offer an anonymous, confidential 24-hour help line for Washington State residents. This help line is for those experiencing substance use disorder, problem gambling, and/or a mental health challenge.
• Medication and Counseling Treatment  
  Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medications with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders and prevent opioid overdose.
• Information about Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)  
  Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, which is effective in the treatment of opioid use disorders (OUD) and can help some people to sustain recovery.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)  
  Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), including opioid treatment programs (OTPs), combines behavioral therapy and medications to treat substance use disorders.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment Improves Outcomes for Patients With Opioid Use Disorder  
  Combination of behavioral health interventions and FDA-approved drugs can help reduce illicit opioid use.

Risk factors for an opioid overdose include:

• Using opioids again after your tolerance has dropped (e.g., like after being in treatment, a hospital, or jail). After a break from opioids, the body can’t handle as much as it did before.
• Taking prescription pain medication more often or in higher doses than prescribed-or using someone else’s prescription pain medication. The dose could be too much.
• Using heroin or pills bought on the street. Heroin and street pills often contain other substances that can be dangerously toxic.
• Using opioids with alcohol or other drugs including sleeping pills, benzodiazepines (“benzos” like Valium and Xanax), cocaine and methamphetamine.
• Any current or chronic illness that weakens the heart or makes it harder to breathe.
• Using opioids alone. You are more likely to die from an overdose if no one is there to help.
• Previous overdose. A person who has overdosed before is more likely to overdose again.

What to do in an opioid overdose

Minutes count in an opioid overdose. If you think someone has overdosed, follow these steps:

1. Check for signs of an overdose:

• Nonresponsive/won’t wake up. Try rubbing your knuckles hard on their sternum.
• Slow or no breathing
• Pale, ashy, cool or clammy skin
• Blue lips or fingernails

2. Call 911. Tell the dispatcher your location and that someone is not breathing or is unconscious.

If you are trying to help in an overdose, WA State’s 911 Good Samaritan/Overdose Law protects both you and the overdose victim from drug possession charges.

Don’t be afraid to call 911 for help!

If you can’t stay until 911 help arrives: Place the person on their side and where first responders can find them.

3. Give naloxone and rescue breaths.

to administer rescue breathing:

• Tilt head back. Lift chin. Pinch nose.
• Give a full breath. Their chest should rise when you exhale.
• Give a breath every 5 seconds.

Naloxone or Narcan: If you have naloxone, give one dose. Naloxone can take 2-3 minutes to work, so start giving rescue breaths. If the person is still not breathing after 2-3 minutes, give a second dose of naloxone. Continue rescue breathes until the person wakes up or medical help arrives.

Learn more about Naloxone here

In WA State, anyone who might have or witness an overdose can legally possess and administer naloxone.

To ensure you are up to date on the Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Laws in your state click here.

4. If the person wakes up and starts breathing, stay with them. Encourage them to get follow-up care.

When naloxone wears off (generally in 30-90 minutes) the person could stop breathing again. Encourage the person to be taken to a clinic or emergency room where health care staff can:

• Monitor their breathing.
• Manage any withdrawal symptoms.
• Treat any other medical conditions.

For this information and more visit http://stopoverdose.org/section/learn-about-overdose/

• Fentanyl Fact Sheet in English  
  Provided by Public Health Seattle-King County for more information visit stopoverdose.org
• Fentanyl Fact Sheet in Spanish  
  Provided by Public Health Seattle-King County for more information visit stopoverdose.org
• Overdose/Crashing  
  Overdose/Crashing provided by BC Harm Reduction Strategies and Services (HRSS) 2011
• Preventing an Opioid Overdose  
  Provided by CDC (Centers for Disease Control) Death from an opioid overdose happens when too much of the drug overwhelms the brain and interrupts the body’s natural drive to breathe.
• Using Fentanyl?  
  Using Fentanyl flier provided by The Dope Project. The DOPE Project coordinates the distribution of naloxone to people who use drugs and their family, friends and other possible overdose bystanders in San Francisco, CA. For more information please contact The Dope Project at dope@harmreduction.org

• Fentanyl: The Real Deal  
  As the rise of fentanyl overdoses continues to increase we believe it is extremely important to educate yourself. Remember if you or someone you know is a drug user please remember to never use alone and also carry Naloxone. If you or someone you know is in need of a Naloxone kit please call (253) 334-9576
• Find naloxone near you  
  Use this map provided by stopoverdose.org to locate the closest naloxone pharmacy or program near you.
• Opioid Overdose - Administering Naloxone  
• WA State Overdose Prevention and Response Training  
  The only video specific to WA State, this training covers overdose risks, the WA State Good Samaritan Law and shows a step-by-step demonstration on what to do in an opioid overdose (including rescue breathing and naloxone).
• Washington State 911 Good Samaritan Law  
  Seattle Police Department training video about Washington state's 911 Good Samaritan Law, Naloxone distribution, and StopOverdose.org website. Posted by the University of Washington Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, April 2012.

What Are STDs And How Are They Transmitted

Video provided by Planned Parenthood. For this and more information from Planned Parenthood visit plannedparenthood.org

Condom Sense

Trojan® Gives the Facts about Condoms

Below is a brief overview of STD testing recommendations. As provided by The CDC

• All adults and adolescents from ages 13 to 64 should be tested at least once for HIV.
• All sexually active women younger than 25 years should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year. Women 25 years and older with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners or a sex partner who has an STD should also be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year.
• All pregnant women should be tested for syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B starting early in pregnancy. At-risk pregnant women should also be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea starting early in pregnancy. Testing should be repeated as needed to protect the health of mothers and their infants.
• All sexually active gay and bisexual men should be tested at least once a year for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Those who have multiple or anonymous partners should be tested more frequently for STDs (i.e., at 3- to 6-month intervals).
• Sexually active gay and bisexual men may benefit from more frequent HIV testing (e.g., every 3 to 6 months).
• Anyone who has unsafe sex or shares injection drug equipment should get tested for HIV at least once a year.

• Safer Sex 101 for HIV in English  
  Safer Sex 101 for HIV in English provided by The CDC
• Safer Sex 101 for HIV in Spanish  
  Safer Sex 101 for HIV in Spanish provided by The CDC
• PrEP 101 (English/Spanish)  
  PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) review this PrEP 101 informational sheet provided by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) to see if PrEP is right for you.
• PEP 101 (English/Spanish)  
  PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) review this PEP 101 informational sheet provided by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) to see if PEP is right for you.

• Healthy Bodies, Safer Sex by FSU  
  Provided by Florida State University this is a comprehensive guide to safer sex and reproductive health for individuals who identify as trans or non-binary and their partners.
• I Wanna Know  
  iwannaknow.org offers information on sexual health for teens and young adults. This is where you will find the facts, the support, the resources to answer your questions, referrals, and get access to in-depth information about sexual health, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), healthy relationships, and more.
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health  
  Resource and health services specific to the LGBT Community as identified by the CDC.
• Safer Sex  
  Safer Sex Guide by Whitman-Walker Health and Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
• Scarleteen - Sexual Education for The Real World  
  Scarleteen is an independent, grassroots sexuality and relationships education and support organization and website.
• Take Charge of Your Sexual Health  
  Provided by The National Coalition for Sexual Health
• What is PrEP?  
  If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about PrEP, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and learning about resources available to you head to whatisprep.org

According to https://www.samhsa.gov/homelessness-programs-resources/hpr-resources/housing-shelter types of housing and shelter programs include:

• Emergency shelters are often where people experiencing economic shock first turn for support through a wide range of services.

• Transitional housing typically involves a temporary residence of up to 24 months with wrap-around services to help people stabilize their lives.

• Permanent supportive housing offers safe and stable housing environments with voluntary and flexible supports and services to help people manage serious, chronic issues such as mental and substance use disorders.

• Providing permanent supportive housing on a housing first basis—without requiring transitional steps or demonstrated sobriety—is effective for people experiencing chronic homelessness. People with a serious mental illness, substance use disorder, or co-occurring mental and substance use disorder have demonstrated similar or better housing stability and substance use, compared to those placed in housing with pre-requisites. Large-scale studies demonstrating the benefits include the Collaborative Initiative to End Chronic Homelessness (PDF | 1.5 MB) and HUD-VA Supportive Housing Program.

• Arcadia Youth Services (253) 740-7189  
  Open daily, our overnight shelter allows clients 18 to 24 years old a safe, comfortable place to sleep and relax during the night. Beds, bed linens, and pillows are provided, and clients are given secure spaces in which to store their belongings. Snacks and water are on hand for clients who were not on-site for Drop-In meal services. ​ Last call for check in is 10:20pm, after which point no additional clients may enter the facility unless previously arranged with staff. All clients who are not attending Extended shelter are expected to be awake and packed up by 7:30am, and ready to leave the facility by 7:45am.
• Benedict House (360) 473-2035  
  Benedict House provides emergency beds for 24 single homeless men who are currently homeless in Kitsap County. The shelter also provides 3 additional respite beds for those needing time to recover after medical treatment. Men interested in staying at Benedict House must apply through the Housing Solutions Center at 1201 Park Avenue, Bremerton, (360) 473-2035.
• Community Youth Services Drop-in Center (253) 396-5800  
  This drop-in center serves young people ages 12 to 24 years old and also operates a shelter.
• Family Housing Network (253) 682-3401 ext. 1  
  Family Housing Network serves low-income families in Pierce County and military veteran households in King, Pierce, Thurston, Snohomish, Kitsap, Mason, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Cowlitz, Pacific or Wahkiakum counties. We provide assistance to house families experiencing homelessness, while helping to connect them with resources that maximize stability and self-sufficiency, in order to prevent future homelessness.
• Federal Way Day Center (206) 323-6336  
  The Federal Way Day Center provides a welcoming space to adults who are homeless and vulnerably housed. The Day Center offers showers, laundry, computers, phones, mail reception services, space for meal preparation, and access to health care and social services. Case Management services are available Monday – Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. Active partnerships with Healthpoint, Mobile Medical Van, Valley Cities, and Sound Mental Health provide services on a monthly basis. All-Age hours: Monday – Friday: 10am – 3pm Hygiene items, limited clothing items, and snacks are generally available to guests visiting the day center. Family-Only hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays: 4pm – 7pm Families are welcome to visit during these hours to use the shower, laundry and kitchen facilities. Case Management services are also available during this time.
• Katherine and Rita's House (253) 856-7716  
  Katherine’s and Rita’s Houses are transitional housing programs for homeless, adult women in recovery from substance abuse. We offer structured, family style living designed to assist women to return to independent living as productive members of the community. Residents may stay up to two years and each resident develops a personal success plan tailored to her individual needs. Katherine’s and Rita’s House staff team consists of a full-time Program Manager, Case Manager, and Life Skills Coordinator. The team’s focus is on creating a safe environment that supports healthy lifestyle changes and nurtures each resident’s potential. Resident Eligibility: Single Women, 18 Year of age and older, 30-60 days clean and sober from drugs/alcohol, Enrolled in an Out-Patient Treatment Program.
• Mary's Place (253) 245-1026  
  We provide safe, inclusive shelter and services that support women, children, and families on their journey out of homelessness. Across nine emergency family shelters in King County, we keep struggling families together, inside, and safe when they have no place else to go providing shelter, services, resources, community, and hope. Basic needs are met each day: meals, showers, and laundry facilities–children are connected with schools. In the evening, families in shelter have dinner, do homework, socialize, and prepare for the week ahead. Resources are offered each day for housing, employment, wellness, and financial needs.
• Nativity House (253) 502-2780  
  Nativity House is the largest, most comprehensive facility in Pierce County serving low-income and homeless adult men and women. Our goal is to provide for the basic needs of adult individuals experiencing homelessness, and offer concrete pathways to permanent housing and self-sufficiency. The new Nativity House combines the services previously offered by three separate Homeless Adult Services (HAS) programs: Hospitality Kitchen, Nativity House, and Tacoma Avenue Shelter. Services are provided 365 days per year and include hot meals, day shelter, overnight shelter, mental health and chemical dependency assessments and referrals, rapid re-housing, access to mainstream public benefits such as Medicare and SSI, and job training. The new Nativity House also includes a new program, the Nativity House Apartments, which provides 50 units of permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless single adults with disabilities. If you are looking for information regarding the Nativity House Apartments, click here. If you are looking for information regarding the Nativity House Overnight Shelter, click here. Guests are welcome to come in for day shelter and other services when the doors open at 7:00am daily.
• Oasis Youth Center (253) 671-2838  
  Oasis Youth Center is the only drop-in and support center dedicated to the needs of LGBTQ youth ages 11-24 in Pierce County. We are a youth-adult partnership in which youth and adults come together for shared teaching learning and action! Oasis is committed to creating a safe, affirming space for LGBTQ youth to be proud of who they are with the encouragement they need to become healthy, productive and fully participating members of the community. Supported by a team of dozens of staff and volunteers, Oasis offers an amazing array of activities to more than 500 youth annually.
• Orion Center (206) 482-9734  
  Ages: Drop In: 12-24 I Overnight Shelter: 18-24 Overnight shelter is open every night from 8:00pm-7:30am. Call 206-482-9734 to get in touch.
• Rosie's Shelter (360) 943-0780 ext.186  
  Rosie’s Shelter is an emergency overnight shelter for young people 18-24 years old. It is our intention that the shelter be as low-barrier as possible in order to provide as accessible a program as possible for young people who need a warm, dry, and safe place to sleep at night. The only thing a young person needs to stay in shelter is any form of identification that has the person’s name and birthdate on it. This does not need to be a state issued photo ID, it can be a copy of medical, school, DOC, records that provide a birthdate. If young person does not have any of the above, Overnight Shelter or Rosie’s Place staff can assist them accessing those records.
• Salvation Army Kent (253) 852-4983  
  For those facing extreme heat, unbearable cold, wet weather, or other dangerous elements on the street, each Salvation Army homeless shelter is a welcome respite featuring a safe place to eat, sleep, and shower at no cost.
• Salvation Army Tacoma (253) 572-8452  
  The Salvation Army assists families in need by providing food, housing and utility assistance. Best of all, these programs enable parents to stay with their children, even when placed in emergency shelters. For information about assistance programs in your area, call (253) 572-8452.
• Salvation Army Seattle (206) 767-3150  
  For families and individuals looking to escape extreme weather or just wanting a safe, quiet place to spend the night, emergency shelters provide a nutritious meal, a warm bed and a clean shower to those in need.
• Tacoma Rescue Mission (253) 383-4493 ext. 1106  
  Our Men’s Shelter provides safe overnight shelter and warm, nutritious meals to over 1,400 homeless men in our community each year. Thanks to generous community members like you, we offer holistic case management, Coordinated Entry, housing resources, employment services, life-skills courses and adult basic education to anyone who walks through our doors. Located at 425 South Tacoma Way, our Men’s shelter is open to single men experiencing homelessness. Please call 253-383-4493 ext. 1106 or email info@trm.org for more information. Shelter opens at 3:30pm each day to sign-up for a bed. Roll call for guests will be at 6:30pm.
• Tahoma Indian Center (253) 593-2707  
  Open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm, The Tahoma Indian Center is located on the east side of Tacoma, Puyallup Reservation, the Tahoma Indian Center has met the basic needs of low-income and homeless Urban Native Peoples for more than 20 years in a safe, warm, peaceful and drug- and alcohol-free environment. The purpose of the Center is to restore and sustain the dignity and culture of Urban Native Americans in Pierce County.
• The Rainbow Center (253) 383-2318  
  Through education, advocacy, and celebration, Rainbow Center expands resources and safe space for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, two-spirit, and allied (LGBTQ2SA) community.

Video 2 in a 5 part series, provided by ANKORS on safer injecting. This video covers planning and things individuals may want to educate themselves on. Scroll to 2:45 for vein care injection information.

Vein Care aims to decrease the damage done to veins for individuals who inject drugs by providing them with tools and education.

• Femoral Injecting  
  In the Groin, Third Edition is Provided by Exchange Supplies find this and more on exchangesupplies.org
• Finding a Vein  
  Provided by Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI). More information can be found at www.mqi.ie
• Sharp Shooters Booklet  
  This booklet provided by CATIE (2008) covers topics from Vein Care to Avoiding Infections. Vein Care specifics can be found on page 6.
• The Safer Injecting Handbook  
  The Safer Injecting Handbook is provided by Exchange Supplies it is the complete handbook to the risks associated with injecting and how to avoid them. This and more can be found on the following website exchangesupplies.org
• Vein Care for Injection Drug Users  
  Provided by BC Harm Reduction Strategies and Services (HRSS).

• CRA - Better Vein Care and Safer Injection Guide  
  Chicago Recovery Alliance (CRA) offers an in-depth guide (complete with images) to better vein care and safer injection. Available in 5 different languages and as a download, poster, or set of cards which can be ordered directly on Chicago Recovery Alliances website.
• HRC - Finding the Vein  
  Provided by Harm Reduction Coalition (HRC). Find that Vein informs you of the levels of risk for where you may be injecting.
• HRC - Taking Care of your Veins  
  Provided by Harm Reduction Coalition (HRC). Taking Care of your Veins reminds injection drug users to rotate your spot to allow healing time.
• How to Find a Vein  
  Learn how to find a vein using a tourniquet.
• Safer Injection Demonstration  
  Video 4 in a series on safer injecting. In this video, we demonstrate the steps to do a drug injection. This 5-part video series presents vein care tips for people who use injection drugs.

Examples of Harm Reduction:

• Designated Drivers
• Needle Exchange Programs
• Seat Belts
• Speed Limits
• All Forms of Birth Control
• Sunscreen
• Naloxone/Narcan

• What are Syringe Service Programs?  
  Provided by Washington State Department of Health

• Harm Reduction in the USA: The Research Perspective and an Archive to David Purchase  
• Two Decades of Positive Change: A Brief History of the Harm Reduction Coalition  

7 Steps to Effective Wound Care Management

This video is provided by Cardinal Health. Please note this video is intended for educational purposes only and it is always best practice to visit medical professional or wound care specialist for wound care management.

If you are experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms due to wound care-related issues please seek medical attention:

• Fever or Chills
• Diarrhea
• Little to no Urination
• Odor from Wound
• Nausea or Vomiting
• Swelling of Limbs
• Non-Healing after 2 Weeks 

It is important to remember abscesses do not go away on their own. If you are unsure how to get care talk to someone about your best option. If left untreated it could turn into a serious medical condition. 

• Abscess 101  
  Provided by BC Harm Reduction Strategies and Services (HRSS)
• How to Change a Bandage  
  Provided by Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and The CDC