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Reducing harms of substance use
Learn about Public Health’s approach to preventing overdose and reducing drug-related health harms.
Harm reduction is an evidence-based, patient-centered approach to minimize the negative impacts of high-risk behaviors, like drug use. People practice harm reduction every day to keep themselves safe. Wearing seatbelts and helmets, driving the speed limit, locking up firearms, and exercising are everyday examples of harm reduction.
When it comes to using drugs, the increased availability of synthetic opioids like fentanyl has significantly increased the risk of fatal overdose. In King County, overdoses are the leading cause of preventable injury death, with disproportionate impacts on Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native communities and people living unsheltered.
Every life lost to overdose is preventable. We need to use all the tools we have available to save lives. A public health approach to overdose prevention relies on a spectrum of evidence-based services that work together to empower people to make safer choices when it comes to drug use.
Harm reduction services prevent overdose and reduce drug-related health harms in the short term while we invest in long-term solutions including mental health services and affordable housing.
How does harm reduction improve the health of people who use drugs?
- Free and accessible naloxone ensures that if a person who uses drugs overdoses, they can be revived
- Medications for opioid use disorder like methadone and buprenorphine reduce use and significantly lower overdose risk
- Syringe service programs support the health of people who use drugs and create low-barrier entry points that connect people to treatment and services
What do harm reduction services look like?
Harm reduction makes drug use less risky, connects people to resources, and improves health and wellbeing. Public Health – Seattle & King County provides a range of services to reduce harms associated with drugs use and improve health and well-being for people who use drugs:
- Primary care services like wound care and HIV and Hepatitis C Virus testing and treatment
- Overdose prevention education
- Naloxone and fentanyl test strip distribution
- Syringe service programs
- Drug checking programs
- Safer use supplies
- Low-barrier substance use disorder treatment
Benefits of harm reduction
Harm reduction services provide life-saving resources and education to prevent overdose and connect people who use drugs to programs and services that can improve their health.
People accessing harm reduction services receive referrals to mental health services, substance use disorder treatment, and medical care. In fact, people who access harm reduction services are five times more likely to enter treatment for substance use disorder.
Learn more about Public Health’s overdose prevention resources and data.