Harm reduction was introduced several years ago in many countries as a complementary way to address the spread of communicable diseases. The approach is defined as an effort to prevent disease and promote public health by meeting certain cohorts’ needs without judging people (Palumbo, 2019). Such measures have been viewed more positively in times of considerable challenges such as pandemics (Kimmel et al., 2020). Nevertheless, numerous obstacles to the implementation of harm reduction programs still exist in the United States. This brief review of the literature regarding harm reduction highlights the central aspects of the issue and includes certain deductions concerning a solution to the problem.
As mentioned above, harm reduction has been seen as a strategy to address the rapid growth of the incidence of diverse serious infections such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. Quite numerous studies have been implemented to explore different facets of the existing harm reduction policies and incentives. Harm reduction initiatives have been seen as effective and associated with a considerable decline of the incidence rate of these infections (Kulikowski & Linder, 2018). Two major types of programs are identified based on the established goals and the focus of the program, syringe exchange and shelter provision projects. Kulikowski and Linder (2018) state that the former is becoming quite common for different states in the USA, but shelter provision programs are related to diverse challenges. O’Keefe et al. (2019) provide insights on the measurements used to evaluate the effectiveness of harm reduction programs and note that coverage is a common but quite ineffective tool to estimate the outcomes of programs. These aspects of the harm reduction approach have been studied in detail.
The benefits and possible outcomes of the programs have been examined as well. For instance, Kulikowski and Linder (2018) identify the exact impact of such incentives and stress that the implemented projects are insufficient. The potential effect of such projects can reach up to a 60% increase in HIV incidence by 2040 when combined with one or more substance abuse treatment initiatives (Kulikowski & Linder, 2018). Kimmel et al. (2020) note that effective harm reduction programs are essential for improving public health during pandemics, such as COVID-19. Thus, the primary benefit of harm reduction is the potential influence on the spread of serious infections.
One of the most discussed topics linked to harm reduction is the challenges these projects’ have to face. In addition to evaluation measurement barriers considered by O’Keefe et al. (2019), the negative attitudes towards the practice have been under analysis. Thus, Kulikowski and Linder (2018) state that people’s overall adverse attitude towards the practice is one of the key challenges to be addressed. The researchers note that the public, as well as policymakers and healthcare professionals, tend to see the approach negatively. Palumbo (2019) also claims that healthcare practitioners, including nurses, have limited awareness of such program’s peculiarities and benefits, which leads to improper implementation. Childs et al. (2021) explore major barriers of such project implementation in non-urban settings. The researchers found that practitioners’ limited awareness of the subject matter is one of the central obstacles to the effective conduction of these strategies. Other challenges contributing to the failure of efforts include the existing stigma associated with drug users, inappropriate reporting of data concerning substance use patterns and consequences (Childs et al., 2021). Hence, the challenges and obstacles to the successful implementation of such incentives have been properly investigated.
Diverse solutions to the problem have also gained momentum, and numerous studies have been devoted to this area. For example, Palumbo (2019) emphasizes that nurses should play the central role in the implementation in harm reduction programs. The researcher also added that the creation of effective solutions would require the provision of training to nursing professionals. Childs et al. (2021) also state that the lack of knowledge and skills necessary for the effective implementation of harm reduction programs can be addressed with the help of training provided to nurses. The researchers stress that harm reduction initiatives should be properly integrated into clinical practice (Childs et al., 2021). It is also mentioned that the involvement of other stakeholders, such as policymakers and communities, can also contribute to the development and implementation of cost-effective harm reduction projects. Kulikowski and Linder (2018) add that the role of nurses should not be confined to providing care or advocating for harm reduction as these practitioners could be involved in data collection and research on the matter.
At the same time, numerous gaps regarding the matter still exist. Childs et al. (2021), for example, claim that different types of harm reduction initiatives should be developed at local and national levels. Kulikowski and Linder (2018) note that one of the central gaps related to harm reduction projects is the lack of statistical data regarding the rate of drug users in communities, the impact of drug abuse, and the effectiveness of the harm reduction approach. O’Keefe et al. (2019) argue that the lack of effective evaluation methods of the implications of harm reduction initiative has to be addressed urgently.
Based on the review of the recent literature on harm reduction strategies, it is possible to consider a potential solution to a problem related to the successful implementation of harm reduction incentives. The introduction of comprehensive community-based harm reduction programs can contribute considerably to the promotion of the practice, as well as the overall reduction of the incidence of diverse infections common among drug users. Such programs have been implemented in different locations and settings and proved to have positive impact on public health in the corresponding communities (Palumbo, 2019). At that, it is critical to launch such projects to expand the knowledge base on the matter and explore the associated benefits, challenges, and ways to overcome the identified obstacles.
The implementation of a community-based harm reduction program at a local health center can address the goals mentioned above. The project would encompass the collaboration of healthcare professionals and the community, which will have a positive impact on raising awareness of harm reduction benefits. The implementation and evaluation of the project may become the basis for other communities to initiate similar projects. The introduction of such programs will contribute to the spread of the practice across the United States, which will be instrumental in addressing the public health issue linked to such infections as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.
In conclusion, it is necessary to note that harm reduction incentives are gaining momentum, and diverse aspects of this practice have been examined in detail. Such programs are seen as beneficial for the reduction of the incidence of the infectious diseases associated with drug use. The implementation of a community-based project will contribute to the development of harm reduction strategies that can be employed in diverse settings across the country. Nurse practitioners will play the central role in this process.
References
Childs, E., Biello, K. B., Valente, P. K., Salhaney, P., Biancarelli, D. L., Olson, J., Earlywine, J.J., Marshall, B.D.L., & Bazzi, A.R. (2021). Implementing harm reduction in non-urban communities affected by opioids and polysubstance use: A qualitative study exploring challenges and mitigating strategies. International Journal of Drug Policy, 90, 1-7. Web.
Kimmel, S. D., Bazzi, A. R., & Barocas, J. A. (2020). Integrating harm reduction and clinical care: Lessons from Covid-19 respite and recuperation facilities. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 118, 1-3. Web.
Kulikowski, J., & Linder, E. (2018). Making the case for harm reduction programs for injection drug users. Nursing, 48(6), 46-51. Web.
O’Keefe, D., Bluthenthal, R. N., Kral, A. H., Aitken, C. K., McCormack, A., & Dietze, P. M. (2019). Measures of harm reduction service provision for people who inject drugs. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 97(9), 605-611. Web.
Palumbo, R. (2019). A call to action: Defining the acute care nurse’s role in harm reduction for persons with substance use disorder. Journal of Addictions Nursing, 30(4), 236-237. Web.