Continued Learning: Harm Reduction in Practice 

Open Doors is grounded in the evidence-based principles and practices of Harm Reduction to decrease or mitigate the impact of substance use and abuse. Centering Harm Reduction principles in our engagements can be lifesaving and humanizing for those who use substances.  

This month’s recommended “booster” content is an episode of This American Life’s podcast titled “The Call”.   It discusses the importance of Harm Reduction and provides an inside look into the Never Use Alone Hotline, which offers overdose prevention support and compassionate presence for people navigating substance use.

The podcast episode follows a story of a phone call that came into the hotline one particular day. It also highlights the many different people involved and impacted during this call— including the sometimes-conflicting struggle of loved ones coming to terms with the necessity of harm reduction, and the power of being present in a person’s most vulnerable moments. 

This podcast is a clear example of how the Harm Reduction principles of engage first, prioritize listening, cultivate relationship, and safety first — can be applied and save lives in a variety of ways. 

After you listen to this podcast, we invite you to consider what blockages stop a deeper understanding of Harm Reduction in society, and what potential conflicting feelings might have come up for you.