The goal of the Columbia University Harm Reduction Outreach Network (CUHRON) is to provide a connection between the CUMC/P&S community and the population of Intravenous Drug Users (IDU) and Sex Workers in Washington Heights.  CUHRON is founded on the Harm Reduction philosophy, which accepts that licit and illicit drug use is part of our world and works to minimize its harmful effects rather than ignoring or condemning them.  Harm Reduction practices, such as syringe-exchange, condom distribution, health education, and vaccinations, seek to mitigate the negative consequences of drug use and unsafe sexual practices.  CUHRON's initiatives look to broaden the awareness and education of our peers with respect to Harm Reduction principles, their public health significance to our community and future patients, as well as introduce P&S students to new and alternative methods of medical practice.  CUHRON works with the Washington Heights Corner Project (WHCP), a non-profit educational outreach and syringe access program aimed at reducing the spread of blood-borne diseases among individuals in the Washington Heights homeless IDU community.

Along with WHCP, we have organized a nutrition initiative, whereby P&S students prepare food that CUHRON delivers to clients during outreach work, developed a lecture series focused on the topic of Harm Reduction, and created a link to CUMC physicians and community-based clinics for a referral system.