River Rose

River Rose (they/them) is Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance’s Training and Capacity Building Program Manager, educating individuals, community partners, and agencies all over the state about safer drug use, harm reduction, HIV & HCV prevention, sexual health, and overdose prevention. Bringing 4 years of harm reduction and program development experience to their team they diligently focus their efforts on supporting the rapid growth of CTHRA and advocating for innovative evidence-based harm reduction strategies. Some advocacy includes supporting overdose prevention center implementation, peer-mentoring programs and implementing community drug-checking services.

The Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance (CTHRA) is a non-profit agency dedicated to promoting the dignity and wellbeing of communities impacted by substance use, homelessness, and sex work. CTHRA holds that every individual deserves a participatory voice in public dialogue regarding substance use, homelessness and sex work policies, programs, and practices. CTHRA exists to mobilize our connectedness that builds trust and helps to tailor services and service delivery that is consistent, dependable, non-coercive, non-condemning, and culturally appropriate. CTHRA aims to ensure that resources are equitable and accessible across CT through advocacy, and a variety of trainings & services that include a drop-in center, mobile outreach & syringe services programs, HIV & HCV testing with linkage to treatment services, vaccination services, overdose prevention & naloxone distribution, drug checking and more.