Duluth Harm Reduction Team to Visit Bemidji for Community Session

Northern Access is bringing the Harm Reduction Sisters from Duluth to Bemidji for a public session on Thursday, Jan. 8, offering local residents a chance to learn about harm-reduction approaches to substance use. The event runs from 10 a.m. to noon at the Beltrami County Administration Building, 701 Minnesota Ave. NW, conference room 108. Community members may attend in person or join via Zoom; those seeking more information can contact lcegley@paulbunyan.net.

Harm reduction refers to programs and practices aimed at reducing the negative health and social consequences of substance use without requiring abstinence. Teams like the Harm Reduction Sisters typically provide education, safer-use information, and connections to health and social services. For Beltrami County, where residents and local service providers confront the realities of substance use across urban and rural settings, the session will present practical strategies and information that can be used by individuals, family members, and community organizations.

Organizers say the meeting is intended for anyone interested in learning more about nonjudgmental, evidence-informed approaches to reducing overdose risk and improving access to care. Attendees can expect an overview of harm-reduction principles and an opportunity to ask questions about local resources and pathways to care. Because the presentation is open to the public, it also creates a space for community dialogue about how local agencies and residents can support safer outcomes and improve connections to treatment and social services.

Rural communities often face barriers to access such as transportation challenges, workforce shortages, and fewer locally available programs, making outreach and mobile or visiting teams especially important. Bringing a Duluth-based team to Bemidji provides direct contact with experienced harm-reduction workers and may clarify options available in Beltrami County for naloxone distribution, safer-use education, and referral to medical and social supports.

Residents who plan to attend in person should use the Beltrami County Administration Building entrance at 701 Minnesota Ave. NW and go to conference room 108. Those seeking a Zoom link or more details should email lcegley@paulbunyan.net. The session is an opportunity for residents, providers, and community leaders to learn practical, evidence-informed ways to reduce the harms of substance use in Beltrami County.