(Protecting At-Risk Individuals with Substance Harm Reduction)

parish drug checking

PARISH is a harm reduction initiative designed to protect and support individuals in Louisiana communities by providing free and confidential drug checking services. Our mission is to minimize the risks associated with drug use through education, awareness, and direct intervention, empowering individuals to make safer choices and reducing the potential for overdose and harmful exposure to dangerous substances.

Through established partnerships with accredited drug testing laboratories, we are able to collect samples from drug use instruments for comprehensive analysis. These samples are sent to the lab for testing, and results are typically available within one week, after which they are confidentially reported to the client.

  • Drug checking

    PARISH offers drug checking services that help individuals test their substances for the presence of unexpected ingredients, such as fentanyl or other synthetic substances. This service provides valuable information about the potency and purity of what is being used, allowing individuals to make informed decisions and reduce the risk of unintentional harm.

  • education and awareness

    We offer education on key factors that can affect safety, such as knowing your dose, the risks of mixing substances, and the impact of different routes of administration. We provide guidance on understanding the potency of substances to help individuals gauge safe usage amounts, as well as the potential dangers of combining drugs, including the risk of overdose or unintended effects. Additionally, we educate on how the route of administration (e.g., oral, nasal, injection) can influence the drug's potency and how it affects the body.

  • confidential and accessible services

    All PARISH services are confidential, free, and available to everyone. We are committed to reducing stigma and ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds can access support in a safe and non-judgmental environment, without the fear of legal consequences or discrimination. Our goal is to provide resources that promote safety and well-being for all.