HARM REDUCTION
*A Note on Language
We honor these stories by not adjusting the language people used to convey them as participants are sharing their own experiences. However, some of the videos contain language that can perpetuate stigma toward people with substance use disorders. As healthcare workers, we should use person-first language to reduce stigma and bias when discussion addiction. Not doing so leads to worse outcomes and experiences. Please review this NIDA page on person-first language for preferred terms to use when talking to and about people who use drugs.
Harm reduction is critical to addiction care.
Naloxone. Sterile syringes. Fentanyl test strips. Education about reducing drinking. These are all examples of harm reduction that save lives. Harm reduction engages people where they are without judgement. These interventions reduce infections and increase access to treatment.
It's been really positive seeing folks who are not coming in for overdoses because maybe they got the harm reduction kit from the ACT team or they got connected to the harm reduction center clinic.
- Maral Pirinjian, MSW
