Principles of Harm Reduction

Health and Safety First

The primary goal of harm reduction is to protect and improve health. This includes providing access to clean supplies (like needles and safe injection equipment), overdose prevention resources, and safer consumption spaces, all of which help prevent infections, injuries, and overdose deaths.

Empowerment and Collaboration

Harm reduction approaches empower individuals by involving them in decisions about their health and well-being. Peer support and collaboration with people who have lived experience are integral, as they provide insights that make services more relevant and effective.

Respect for Individual Rights and Choices

Harm reduction recognizes the autonomy of individuals and their right to make choices about their lives and bodies. It respects each person’s decisions and aims to support them in ways that align with their needs, without requiring abstinence as a precondition for support. opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Reducing Stigma and Promoting Compassion

A fundamental part of harm reduction is to reduce stigma and judgment toward people who use drugs or engage in risky behaviors. By fostering a non-judgmental approach, harm reduction promotes trust, encourages people to seek help, and connects them with resources.

Meeting People Where They Are

Harm reduction programs are designed to support individuals regardless of their level of substance use or readiness to change. Services and interventions are adapted to fit their current circumstances and readiness, with a focus on practical, incremental steps toward safer practices.

Evidence-Based and Practical Approaches

Harm reduction is grounded in evidence, with programs and strategies that have been shown to reduce harm effectively. This includes providing access to tools like Naloxone, information on safer drug use practices, and mental health resources that address the complex needs of individuals.

Comprehensive and Holistic Support

Harm reduction often involves connecting individuals to broader services, such as mental health support, housing assistance, and social services. This holistic approach helps address the social and economic factors that contribute to substance use, such as homelessness, trauma, and mental health challenges.

Social Justice and Advocacy

Harm reduction advocates for policy changes that support the health and rights of individuals who use substances. This includes working toward decriminalization, equitable healthcare access, and challenging discriminatory practices that negatively impact marginalized communities.