Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

Harm Reduction, at its most fundamental level, is any practice that reduces the harms associated with a particular behavior.

There are many things in our lives that are harmful, but rather than avoiding those harms entirely, we often instead take steps to minimize the risks.  For example, we know that there are many dangers associated with driving. We could make the decision to avoid riding in vehicles altogether, but instead many of us choose to still participate in this risky behavior of driving, but we try to minimize the potential harms by wearing our seatbelts, using our blinkers, and driving at “safer” speeds.

This is the essence of Harm Reduction.  We accept and respect the right of each of us chose to take different risks, and we focus on how we can reduce the harms associated with our choices.

Examples of Harm Reduction Practices and Tools:

  • Sunscreen
  • Seatbelts
  • Birth control
  • Bike helmets
  • Syringe exchange programs
  • Snow gloves
  • Cigarette filters
  • Speed limits
  • Budgeting
  • Using designated drivers
  • Medication assisted treatment (MAT)
  • Toothbrushing
  • Umbrellas
  • Narcan
  • Supportive running shoes
  • Safer-sex supplies
 

Harm reduction is practical in its understanding and acceptance that many behaviors that carry risk exist in this world ― and responds in a compassionate and life preserving manner. In addition to reducing the direct harms associated with a particular behavior, Harm reduction also seeks to reduce the harmful impacts of stigma, mistreatment, discrimination, and harsh punishment.

In the United States, Harm Reduction has its roots in community efforts to address the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s. Today, Harm Reduction is most commonly associated with providing respectful services to people who use drugs, though many populations we serve can benefit from Harm Reduction services.  Some of these populations include people who participate in sex work, people who are experiencing mental health issues, individuals experiencing homelessness, and individuals experiencing a variety of co-occurring issues.

Harm Reduction is an internationally utilized, evidence-based strategy, supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which strives to combine a variety of public health strategies (such as prevention, health promotion, and risk reduction), to empower individuals and their families and communities to improve their health and wellbeing in whichever ways they choose.

What is Harm Reduction? (Brief Video)

 

 

 

For more information please contact: Katie McMullan  katherine.mcmullan@ct.gov