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2. Reduce the harm

pre*fix: harm reduction for + users

2. Reduce the harm

“Harm reduction is about empowering users so they can take responsibility for their actions. It’s using in a responsible and moderate way, knowing when to say enough. It’s about having $500 and not spending it all on your substances, but paying rent, buying food. It’s about having proper sleep and doing stuff other than drugs.”
—Kevin B.

Using drugs can put you at risk for many health problems. But you can take steps to reduce those risks. This is called harm reduction. The goal of harm reduction is for you to maintain the best physical and emotional health you can, even if you continue to use drugs. It is about reducing suffering and saving lives.

Here are some ways you could practice harm reduction in your life:

  • use a new, clean needle/syringe/rig every time you shoot
  • do not share any drug use equipment: spoons, cookers, filters, ties, water, straws, pipes
  • be good to your veins
  • learn how not to overdose and how to detect overdose symptoms in others
  • look into drug substitution (replacing your drug of choice with something less harmful, such as methadone instead of heroin)
  • practice safer sex — use condoms for vaginal and anal sex
  • learn about ways to take good care of yourself
  • get tested for TB (tuberculosis) and hepatitis A, B and C
  • get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B
  • get a flu shot
  • get tested for HIV

“Harm reduction means you don’t judge people, no matter what their lifestyle is. People need to be respected, whether they use drugs or not. People are entitled to health care, whether they use drugs or not.”
—Susan E.
“I began to practice harm reduction by getting my own apartment, paying my rent and buying groceries...and then using with the money I had left over. I don’t really use now because I don’t want to.
I like being with myself, I like being straight. It took me a long time to get to that place.”
—Silke H.

“I incorporated harm reduction in my life by using methadone and volunteering in the field. As I did this, my self-esteem started to rise. To me, that’s harm reduction: Getting rid of all the old baggage.”
—Cindy R.