What is harm reduction?

Harm reduction refers to a set of evidence-based strategies aimed at minimizing the negative health, social, and economic impacts associated with substance use, rather than solely focusing on eliminating use altogether. This approach acknowledges that while some individuals may not achieve complete abstinence, they can still engage in safer practices that lessen the potential harms of their substance use.

For example, harm reduction strategies may include providing clean needles to individuals who inject drugs to prevent the spread of infections, offering safe consumption sites, or promoting the use of naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses. The emphasis is on practical measures that enhance well-being and safety, making substance use less risky rather than inherently criminalizing it or insisting on total abstinence.

The other options do not accurately reflect the concept of harm reduction. While complete abstinence is a goal of some treatment approaches, it is not what harm reduction advocates propose. The idea of criminalizing substance use runs counter to the principles of harm reduction, which seeks to meet people where they are without judgment. Intensifying treatment options can be part of various therapeutic approaches, but it does not capture the essence of harm reduction, which is distinctly focused on minimizing harm regardless of the level of substance use.