Harm reduction has many benefits for people who use substances, their families, and communities. Research shows harm reduction activities can:
- reduce HIV infection and hepatitis
- reduce overdose deaths and other early deaths among people who use substances
- reduce injection substance use in public places, and reduce the number of used needles in public
- reduce the sharing of needles and other substance use equipment
- educate about safer injecting and reduce injecting frequency
- educate about safer sex and sexual health and increase condom use
- reduce crime and increase employment among people who use substances
- increase referrals to treatment programs and health and social services
