Several countries across all corners of the globe have begun adopting progressive policies in recent years designed to fight rising drug and alcohol abuse. While the specifics of their approaches can vary depending on each country and context, many share one key unifying attribute–a focus on harm reduction rather than criminalization and punishment as the central deterrent.

This new approach to solving one of the world’s most pressing problems has helped center substance use disorder (SUD) as an ongoing health crisis rather than a criminal issue, allowing for health and person-focused treatment options and prevention strategies to emerge. 

In today’s article, we will be discussing the many benefits of harm reduction policies and how they can help mitigate the health risks that come with substance use disorder, leading to much healthier long-term outcomes for those suffering.

Common Health Risks Associated With Substance Use Disorder

The health risks that accompany substance use disorder are great, ranging from permanent brain damage, to the onset and development of serious mental health disorders, illnesses, and impaired executive function.

This lethal combination creates one of the most damaging and serious disorders on the planet today. In other words, substance use disorder is nothing short of a global health crisis. There are no countries or civilizations that are immune.

According to data collected in a recent study, there were roughly 46.3 million people worldwide aged 12 or older suffering from substance use disorder. In the United States alone, an estimated 140,000 people die each year from alcohol-related causes, making it the fourth-leading cause of preventable death in the country.

Harm Reduction for Substance Use Disorder 

While it would, of course, be best to stop using harmful substances at once completely and immediately lead a healthier, more balanced lifestyle, that is often an unrealistic goal. This reality may cause people to feel like they have no chance at success, so they might as well not even try.

This is where harm reduction policies and strategies come into play and are most effective. They work as a middle step that comes before you are able to fully commit to finding sobriety, and help empower you to greatly reduce the negative impacts and risks of substance use disorder while helping to promote safe drug use.

What is Safe Use?

The term “safe use” is intentionally broad and all-encompassing, referring to a variety of harm reduction strategies that help those suffering from substance use disorder remain as safe and healthy as possible. These strategies range from syringe exchange programs to physical locations people can visit to consume illegal drugs and other banned substances in the safest environments possible.

These places, often known as supervised consumption sites (SISs), help create a safe, controlled environment where individuals suffering from substance use disorder can go to consume drugs under the supervision of trained and experienced healthcare professionals.

Studies show that supervised consumption sites can lead to a lower overdose mortality rate (one less fatality per 1,137 users in the test city) and help to significantly slow the spread of HIV within the community. One of the most common arguments made against supervised consumption sites is that they increase the usage of harmful drugs, but this has been routinely been disproven in the cities that have adopted them.

Supervised Consumption Sites in the United States

Rhode Island became the first US state to allow supervised consumption services in July 2021. New York City followed suit later that year, opening two consumption centers for safe substance use. Thus, the East Coast is positioning itself as an early leader in progressive harm reduction policy targeting substance use disorder.

While we still have a long way to go as a country, nonprofits such as the National Harm Reduction Coalition offer countless free resources, such as a Supervised Consumption Guide and their Alternatives to Public Injection eBook.

Syringe Exchange Programs

Another common safe substance use and harm reduction strategy are syringe exchange programs (SEPs). These programs allow those suffering from substance use disorder to have easy access to syringes, needles, cotton balls, cookers, and many other “works” needed to help facilitate safe drug use.

Critical health and intervention services are also readily available and well marketed at these locations to help entice struggling individuals to get help and begin their journey toward rehabilitation and long-lasting sobriety.

Reduced Social Harm

This is perhaps the least obvious benefit of safe substance use policies within a community. Implementing progressive harm reduction policies such as providing plentiful supervised consumption sites and offering syringe exchange programs has routinely been shown to reduce many of the negative impacts substance use disorder has on the community at large, outside of those directly affected by their own usage.

One of the most noticeable ways that this is seen is through the increased safety and cleanliness of public spaces such as parks and sidewalks. When items such as syringes and needles are readily available, and individuals do not feel the need to consume drugs on the streets, these public spaces can be enjoyed as originally intended. 

Never Alone Foundation is Here to Help

Anybody struggling with substance use disorder or any other aspect of their mental health is strongly encouraged to reach out and give us a call today at 844-365-4445 for a free consultation on our team here at Never Alone Recovery can help you get started on your journey toward healthy, sober living.

Never Alone Foundation has a team of dedicated, on-staff addiction recovery consultants who work tirelessly to provide free drug rehab placement services. Our mission is to offer support and unyielding compassion for those suffering from mental health issues and substance use disorder, as well as their loved ones.

In addition to this article, we have an extensive library of online resources and a 100% free online support group that meets weekly. No matter where you are in your recovery journey, always remember that you’re never alone.