Harm Reduction Through the Family Lens

Families across the United States are on the frontlines of the substance use crisis. They continue to witness risky substance use, as well as overdoses and death at alarming rates as opioid and stimulant use (not to mention counterfeit pills) become increasingly deadly. Public health advocates and the government have begun to embrace harm reduction policies but this approach has not been widely shared with families. Helping families understand the benefits of harm reduction measures in terms of preventing overdoses, life-threatening infections and diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C can be critical in terms of saving lives and reducing healthcare costs. Further, families may appreciate how harm reduction can facilitate access to healthcare, social services, and treatment.

This session will explore the reasons why people may be reluctant to engage in substance use treatment and why harm reduction makes sense through the family lens. In addition to highlighting some of the harm reduction services (e.g., referrals for vaccines and pre-exposure prophylaxis) and tools (e.g., fentanyl test strips, naloxone, sterile needles) that are available, presenters will share the real-life experiences of how families have adopted ways to reduce risks and navigated the stigma of “enabling." Ways to have a conversation with a loved one will also be shared and informed by Community Reinforcement and Family Training.