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Program Highlights

Winter 2024 Newsletter

By February 8, 2024May 13th, 2024No Comments

WINTER 2024

Thank you for your interest in our Winter 2024 newsletter. Click here to subscribe for future e-mail communications from MATTERS.

2023 Year in Review

As we plan for 2024, the MATTERS team is proud to share its annual report for 2023. Explore our program highlights and review our progress from last year by visiting our website.

MATTERS' 2023 Year in Review report. 9 harm reduction vending machines were deployed across New York State; there was a 10x increase in the number of referrals that came from correctional settings. Over 1,300 referrals were submitted in 2023, and 55% of those referrals were from through telemedicine. 90% of all patients referred were issued a medication vocher toc over the cost of up-to 14 days of buprenorphine. 83% of all patients referred received a bridge prescription at their time of referral. Patients can choose from over 2,200 weekly appointment slots available to them, offered by a variety of different treatment organizations. MATTERS onboarded 130+ new referral partners in 2023. The team facilitated over 55 harm reduction trainings. MATTERS distributed over 2,100 units of naloxone (each containing two doses). MATTERS also distributed over 6.7 million fentanyl and xylazine test strips across New York State.
Click here to learn more

Ending the Epidemic Summit

Albany NY

The MATTERS team visited Albany in November to present and table at the annual Ending the Epidemic Summit, hosted by the New York State Department of Health.

Have us at your next event

Narcan Training with LE3

Buffalo NY

MATTERS recently facilitated an Opioid Overdose Response Training at Learning with Locally Enriched Educational Experiences (LE3) to improve awareness of and access to life-saving naloxone (Narcan).

Schedule a training

New Jersey Expansion

Trenton, NJ

MATTERS’ leadership team visited our partners at the New Jersey Department of Health to discuss the expansion of the program into New Jersey in 2024.

Stay up to date

Harm Reduction Highlights

*NEW* 2024 Test Strip Survey

Calling all network partners! We have launched a new edition of our drug test strip survey for 2024.

Please participate in this survey and share it with anyone you know who uses fentanyl and xylazine test strips.

Click here to participate

Harm Reduction Vending Machines

We have 12 harm reduction vending machines LIVE across New York State! These machines provide free supplies like fentanyl test strips, xylazine test strips, and life-saving naloxone (commonly referred to as Narcan).

Watch this video to see how fast and simple it is to dispense harm reduction supplies.

Find a machine near you

Test Strip Distribution

MATTERS has officially distributed 10 MILLION test strips to individuals and organizations across New York State!

Thank you to our partners at the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) for making this program possible.

Order free test strips here

News & Media

Image of legislators meeting.

Matthew’s Law

Governor Hochul has signed legislation to expand access to harm reduction supplies.

Read more

WKBW News

MATTERS’ test strip distribution project was highlighted as a resource for harm reduction.

Read more

UB Media Event

Our partners at the University at Buffalo developed two new videos about MATTERS.

Read more

Meet Our Team

Headshot of a person smiling.

Elizabeth Crawford, MPH

Role: Harm Reduction Assistant

Hometown: Buffalo, NY

What is your favorite aspect of the MATTERS program?

I love that MATTERS is dedicated to breaking down barriers and connecting those with opioid use disorder to essential treatment services. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to offer harm reduction education and resources to empower individuals to engage in drug use safely.

Favorite place to visit in New York?

Letchworth State Park

We are hiring – see our current job openings!

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