Harm Reduction 101
Tools & Strategies to Keep People Who Use Drugs Safer
What is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction is a set of tools, strategies, and services that reduce the negative consequences and stigmas associated with drug use.
This approach accepts that drug use exists. People use drugs for many complex reasons. And some ways of using drugs are safer than others.
Harm reduction meets people who use drugs (PWUD) where they are and ensures they have access to resources to keep themselves safe and healthy.
In other words, harm reduction is healthcare for PWUD.
Why Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction…
Reduces overdose incidents and deaths
Distributes community education and training
Reduces the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C
Reduces the stigmas of drug use
Increases access to safe drug use supplies
Proven Harm Reduction Strategies
Harm reduction is evidence-based. These strategies have been taking root for the last 60 years, documenting their effectiveness along the way.
Naloxone
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose before it’s fatal as long as it’s administered quickly. It comes in a nasal spray or an injectable format. Narcan is the most common brand-name version of naloxone.
States that have made it easier for people to get naloxone see a 14% decrease in overdose fatalities amounting to thousands of lives saved each year.
Harm reduction focuses on ensuring as many people as possible have access to naloxone and know how to use it.
Drug Checking
Criminalization forces drugs into an unregulated market which makes their contents unpredictable and sometimes dangerous. What someone thinks is one substance may actually be a mix of several unexpected ingredients.
For example, someone might believe they’re buying heroin, but testing could reveal a combination of heroin, fentanyl, caffeine, and xylazine.
By identifying what’s really in a person’s supply, we can share practical harm reduction strategies that fit their unique health and wellness goals—because everyone deserves to stay safe, supported, and informed.
Syringe Service Programs (SSPs)
Syringe service programs (SSPs) are community-based programs that provide sterile syringes and injection supplies, disposal of those supplies, and access to other health services for PWUD.
SSPs are one of the oldest harm reduction interventions and have been around for 30 years. They’re proven to reduce the spread of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other infections that stem from injecting drugs.
Supervised Consumption Sites (SCSs)
Overdose deaths can be prevented with early intervention. The problem is that many people use drugs alone.
Supervised Consumption Sites (SCSs) are one of the most effective overdose prevention strategies. PWUD can take their drugs to an SCS and use them with trained supporters nearby in case anything goes wrong.
There are at least 200 SCSs in a dozen countries around the world. Legal debates have made it challenging for SCSs to gain traction in the US.
The first two US-based sites finally opened in New York in 2021, thanks to the perseverance of OnPoint NYC. These sites intervened in 1,000 overdoses in their first two years.
Overdose Detection Tools
Overdose Detection technology is a virtual version of an SCS. It’s a newer harm reduction innovation gaining traction since 2017.
Tools like wearable devices, reverse motion sensors, and safety buttons can alert nearby responders when a potential overdose occurs so they can quickly respond with naloxone.
The first overdose detection technology provider, Brave Technology Co-Op, has led to 18,000 connections to care and 400 reversed overdoses so far.
Safe Drug Use Education
Education is a cornerstone of harm reduction. People have to know these tools exist and how to use them. Harm reduction organizations create guides, toolkits, and training programs focused on two things:
How to use drugs more safely
Destigmatizing drug use
Visit our community resource center for a library of safer drug use information.
Harm Reduction Organizations You Should Know
There are hundreds of harm reduction programs across the country. Here are a few organizations that we recommend getting to know.
