Harm Reduction: Front Line Public Health

Abstract

Drug use is a public health problem associated with high mortality and morbidity, and is often accompanied by suboptimal engagement in health care. Harm reduction is a pragmatic public health approach encompassing all goals of public health: improving health, social well-being, and quality of life. Harm reduction prioritizes improving the lives of people who use drugs in partnership with those served without a narrow focus on abstinence from drugs. Evidence has shown that harm reduction oriented practice can reduce transmission of blood-borne illnesses, and other injection related infections, as well as preventing fatal overdose.

Keywords: Harm reduction; buprenorphine; drug treatment; injection drug use; methadone; naloxone; needle and syringe programs; opioid overdose; public health; safe injection facilities; syringe access.