Harm Reduction and Health Promotion

In this section, you will learn about how peers can adopt and support harm reduction practices to engage people in recovery. Upon completion, you should be able to:

• Explain the goals of harm reduction,
• Discuss the important role peers play in increasing access to harm reduction in underserved communities, and
• Provide examples of prevention and health promotion measures that can reduce the health risks associated with drug use.

What is Harm Reduction?

A harm reduction approach prioritizes safety and dignity for individuals by providing nonjudgmental and noncoercive services. Ultimately, harm reduction is an approach that values reducing risks to improve health outcomes, rather than focusing on abstinence.

For people with substance use disorders, research has shown harm reduction approaches can reduce negative outcomes of substance use by reducing

• fatal outcomes of overdose,
• reducing risk of overdose, and
• reducing vulnerability.

For example, syringe service programs reduce the risk of HIV and viral hepatitis infections (CDC, 2021). Participants in these programs are also more likely to enter treatment.  Other strategies include naloxone distribution, safe consumption sties, and low-barrier drop-in spaces.

Watch Changing Perceptions of Harm Reduction Strategies

Goals for Harm Reduction

Peer support specialists may be able to engage people in harm reduction who are not ready to stop using substances or other unsafe behaviors.  People who self-injure may be open to using sterile bandages and antibacterial wipes.  People who inject opioids may be willing to use sterile syringes and keep naloxone on hand.  It is essential peer support specialists understand the goals of harm reduction approaches and become familiar with local harm reduction resources.

Watch Harm Reduction as an Act of Compassion