'Safe Box' for Veterans on display during Harm Reduction Day

And the centerpiece for the event, planned for multiple locations on the campus, is the premiere of the innovative Harm Reduction Safe Box.

Inspired by the Finnish baby box — a box filled with baby necessities that Finland gives to all expectant mothers — the boxes are for Veterans to fill with whatever medications or other tools they might need.

“It’s a nice, little box where you can have all of your safety needs in one spot so if you need them, they’re accessible,” said Hannah Von Behren, harm reduction coordinator for the Milwaukee VA.

The box could take on different forms for different Veterans, depending on the scenario, Von Behren said. A Veteran battling suicidal thoughts could use it to keep a firearm out of reach, or someone addicted to drugs could keep fentanyl testing strips, Narcan or clean needles in it.

It could also be used to store vital medications or even condoms, Von Behren said.

“It could be a plethora of all those things put together. It can be customized to fit each Veteran’s needs,” said Von Behren, noting that, to her knowledge, no other organizations offer such a resource.

The kits, along with other harm reduction resources, will be on display 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Harm Reduction Day at the South Entrance of the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, 5000 W. National Ave., and Building 43 on the VA campus. A display in the Domiciliary will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Ongoing displays are planned for the Immediate Mental Health Access Clinic in the hospital and similar areas frequented by Veterans who would benefit from the boxes.

Beyond the boxes, the Harm Reduction Day events will emphasize other resources to help Veterans.

“It’ll be a safe space for people to really ask questions and get them connected with (whatever they need),” Von Behren said, adding that specialists will be on hand to help anyone who may need immediate, one-on-one aid.

Harm reduction is an evidence-based approach to help drug users and those struggling with other addictions to live healthier lives by showing ways to prevent overdoses or contracting infectious diseases. It also emphasizes mental health and social well-being, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

It’s not a cold turkey approach to drug use, said Dr. Jamie Noffsinger, a Milwaukee VA psychologist.

“People in the early stages of change are really put off by the abstinence model,” she said. “They aren’t there yet; they’re ready to make some change, but the idea of quitting completely is difficult for them to fathom at the time.

“(The thinking is), if you’re going to use, let’s keep you safe and work toward keeping you engaged … with the long-term goal to get you to that absolute abstinence model. This is a way to get people’s foot in the door without pushing them away.

“We can have different ways to keep ourselves safe and different strategies to protect ourselves,” she said. “It’s OK to reach out and have different ways to take care of yourself.”

To that end, Harm Reduction Day seeks to help those in need get connected with the resources that can help them along their path.

“We want to decrease the stigma,” Von Behren said, noting she hopes those who stop by one of the booths on May 7 get the resources they need “whether they start using them now or just want to learn about them or pass them along to others in the community.”

Von Behren said research has shown that people who receive harm reduction services are five times more likely to enter treatment in the future.

“We want them to feel safer in the choices that they’re making so they can live longer and more fulfilling lives,” she said.

Lending a hand — actually a paw — to the effort is the Milwaukee VA Police’s K9 officer, Atilla. He is serving as the mascot for Harm Reduction Day.

“A big part of this is decreasing stigma, and what better way is there to make someone feel more comfortable than a dog?” Von Behren said, adding that dogs give “unconditional love and support.”