Erin Russell, principal at Health Management Associates, discusses the importance emphasizing harm reduction as a compassionate approach to drug policy. She shares her journey from volunteering at a syringe service program to becoming deeply invested in harm reduction, highlighting how these programs offer critical support and connections to treatment and reduce overdose deaths. Erin also explores the impact of drug policy on drug-related harms, advocating for the need to overcome stigmas that impede treatment.
Language: English
HMA podcast – How Is Harm Reduction Redefining Recovery in Modern Treatment Approaches?
National Harm Reduction Coalition – Harm Reduction Truth
Members of the harm reduction community share what harm reduction means to them at a personal level.
XNational Harm Reduction Coalition – Harm Reduction Truth
SAMHSA – Harm Reduction
SAMHSA defines Harm Reduction as an approach that emphasizes engaging directly with people who use drugs to prevent overdose and infectious disease transmission; improve the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of those served; and offer low-threshold options for accessing substance use disorder treatment and other health care services. This webinar examines Harm Reduction as a tool for Behavioral Health Professionals.
XSAMHSA – Harm Reduction
NIDA – What is Harm Reduction?
This video is part of the NIDA series At the Intersection: Stories of Research, Compassion, and HIV Services for People who Use Drugs.
How do drug users define their progress in harm reduction programs? Qualitative research to develop user-generated outcomes
The study used nominal group technique to develop the outcomes and focus group interviews to help validate the findings. Study participants were recruited from a large harm-reduction program in New York City.
Big Cities Health Coalition – Messaging Playbook
The Big Cities Health Coalition polled residents in its member jurisdictions about how government should address issues affecting them. The results show broad support for a public health approach to these problems and support for increased investment in those solutions.
SAMHSA Harm Reduction Framework
The SAMHSA Harm Reduction Framework is the first document to comprehensively outline harm reduction and its role within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Framework: 1) Provides a roadmap of best practices, principles, and pillars that anyone can apply to their work. 2) Serves as a list of best practices and services, with descriptions and citations of evidence. 3) Gives a brief background on harm reduction in the U.S. and describes Community-Based Harm Reduction Programs (CHRP) and their mission-critical role in connecting with our communities’ most vulnerable individuals.
National Harm Reduction Coalition – Principles of Harm Reduction
NHRC’s definition of harm reduction and principles to guide the approach
Harm reduction in the USA: the research perspective and an archive to David Purchase
This article gives an overview of the history of harm reduction in the USA and the political resistance that has accompanied its growth.
