Landmark Surgeon General Report Endorses Harm Reduction
A landmark report on alcohol and other drugs released today by the U.S. Surgeon General endorses harm reduction and specifically refers to syringe access programs as a "important strategy." The first ever report on the topic by the Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy also highlights the role of harm reduction in meeting people 'where they're at' by acknowledging that harm reduction programs meet the "needs of those who are not yet ready to participate in treatment" and those "who may not be ready to stop substance use – offering individuals strategies to reduce risks while still using."
The report refers to problematic drug use as the countries most pressing public health concern and cites that nearly 21 million Americans – more than the number of people who have all types cancers combined – suffer from alcohol and other drug dependence.
The report, titled Facing Addiction in America: Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health, also cites the benefits of peer-distributed naloxone to reverse opioid overdose fatalities: "take-home doses of naloxone along with education and training for those actively using opioids and their peers and family members, have the potential to help decrease overdose related deaths."
|