Kind Kern Care Kits

09/25/2025

Here until Noon come by grab some NARCAN® Nasal Spray and or a sharps container and some food and other resources

09/13/2025

Wow, things are finally happening! Roads are built, and doors are open! Boulevard Blessings totally welcomed Kind Kern to help out. They've been at it for over five years, just spreading the word. I've been wanting to reach out and see how we can help them grow. It's a place where a little prayer can help, and everyone's smiling and feeling good vibes. Boulevard Blessings is all about feeding and helping people who are homeless or don't have stable housing. Kind Kern's gonna help them get the word out and support them however we can. With providing preventive harm reduction resources and education. We're trying to build something awesome with other groups too. If you want to be a part of this growth reach out all voices matter 🙏🏻

09/10/2025

Plus: Check your skin for sun-related abnormalities + What’s HIPAA? + Your questions about medication for opioid-use disorder, answered

09/10/2025

... I wonder if we can get more resources like this into more rural areas of Kern County Kern County Department of Human Services Kern Economic Development Corporation Kern Family Health Care Kern Valley Healthcare District Kern County Public Health California Department of Public Health Kern County – Hope the Mission

08/31/2025

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=781393651492915&id=100088668601993&mibextid=CDWPTG

08/31/2025

Today, August 31st, is International Overdose Awareness Day.

In Kern County, we continue to lose far too many lives to preventable overdoses — more than 220 people in 2023 alone, with fentanyl being the leading cause.

This crisis touches families across our community, from Bakersfield to the Kern River Valley. Today we honor the lives lost, stand with those grieving, and commit to spreading hope and resources. 💜

If you or someone you love is struggling, help is available.

Call 988 for mental health or crisis support.

Carry Narcan — it can save a life.

Visit Kern County Public Health or local harm reduction groups to learn more.

Together, we can break the stigma and save lives.

08/31/2025

International Overdose Awareness Day reminds us that every life lost is preventable. We work every day to reduce misuse through safe prescribing practices, patient education, and stigma-reducing campaigns. Together, we can build a future where fewer families know the pain of overdose.

08/20/2025

It's possible! It's happening all over the state! We have the resources, we could fill all of these abandoned buildings with treatment centers and Transitional housing that would bring so many needed jobs into our valley and create a housing boom, raise education levels not to mention bring out of county/state money...

https://www.facebook.com/100064588365567/posts/1175597244603210/?mibextid=CDWPTG

08/07/2025

08/01/2025

Community cleanups, especially those focused on areas impacted by drug use and associated waste, embody the principles of harm reduction in several ways:

Safe disposal of drug paraphernalia: Cleanups provide a mechanism for the safe collection and disposal of needles and syringes, reducing the risk of accidental needle stick injuries, bloodborne disease transmission (HIV, Hepatitis), and environmental contamination.

Reducing environmental hazards: Removing litter, debris, and potentially hazardous materials associated with substance use creates a safer and healthier environment for all community members. This reduces exposure to disease-causing pathogens and promotes a sense of well-being within the neighborhood.

Addressing the "Broken Windows Theory": Studies suggest that cleaner, well-maintained environments deter crime and foster a sense of safety and community pride. Cleanups contribute to this by improving the physical appearance of neighborhoods, making them less attractive to criminal activity and creating a more positive atmosphere.

Building social connections and reducing stigma: Community cleanups bring people together from diverse backgrounds to work toward a common goal. This collaborative effort can foster social cohesion, build trust, and potentially reduce the stigma associated with substance use by promoting a more inclusive and supportive community environment, according to the National Recreation and Park Association.

Creating opportunities for outreach and support: During cleanups, organizers can connect individuals who use drugs or are in recovery with resources and support services, such as treatment options, needle exchange programs, or overdose reversal medication (e.g., Naloxone) training. This provides touchpoints for engagement and offers opportunities to address various needs beyond the immediate cleanup efforts.
In essence, community cleanups function as harm reduction initiatives by:

Directly reducing the harm associated with drug use through safe disposal of paraphernalia and reducing potential transmission of infectious diseases.

Creating a healthier and safer environment for the entire community.

Promoting positive social change through community engagement and reduced stigma, ultimately fostering a more supportive environment for those impacted by substance use.

It is crucial to remember that a harm reduction approach emphasizes meeting individuals where they are and offering support without judgment.

Therefore, community cleanups, when implemented through a harm reduction lens, focus not only on the physical cleanup but also on creating pathways to health, safety, and well-being for all members of the community, especially those affected by substance use.

How Harm Reduction Prevents Syringe Litter - R Street Institute

Authors Key Points Media Contact For general and media inquiries and to book our experts, please contact: pr@rstreet.org Introduction The United States may finally be turning the tide on the overdose crisis, with drug-related fatalities falling nearly 24 percent from 2023 to 2024. But some communiti...

08/01/2025

07/29/2025

What's been one thing thats always had you questioning decency when it comes to someone's sobriety?