The United States is grappling with an opioid crisis that began in the 1990s and has claimed the lives of over half a million citizens. Medical and addiction experts have pinpointed prescription opioid painkillers as the root of this crisis. However, illicit counterfeit opioids and other illegal drugs have contributed to the problem.

The opioid crisis has hit New Jersey especially hard. Opioid abuse and addiction have severely impacted people in New Jersey, regardless of race, gender, class, or age.

It can be very challenging for people to recover from opioid abuse and addiction. Many people require comprehensive treatment and continuing support to abstain from these highly addictive drugs. Some agencies are choosing to focus on harm reduction strategies as a way of preventing overdose deaths.

This article will outline what harm-reduction strategies are and why they are effective. Reach out to the specialists at Moving Mountains Recovery to learn more about harm reduction measures or to find addiction treatment.

New Jersey Expands Harm Reduction Funding and Resources in 2024

In February 2024, Governor Phil Murphy announced that the government would allocate over $95 million from the NJ Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund to fund critical harm reduction programs in New Jersey. The funding was divided up accordingly:

• $24M for harm reduction services and new Harm Reduction Centers.
• $17.5M to expand 22 Peer Recovery Centers.
• $9M for mobile Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) units.
• $19.5M for statewide 24/7 treatment referrals and harm reduction services.
• $17M for supported housing, including emergency shelter and permanent housing.
• $8.1M for the Keeping Families Together program, supporting parents with opioid use disorder.

These initiatives reduce barriers to treatment and support long-term recovery for affected individuals and families.

What are Harm Reduction Strategies?

Harm reduction strategies are actions taken to prevent harm caused by opioid use. Harm reduction strategies don’t focus on reducing opioid use but focus instead on responding to opioid use in a way that minimizes the risk of overdose or death.

Agencies focused on harm reduction have set up centers in cities across New Jersey. These centers provide a safe space for people who use opioids to get education and support.

In addition to an increase in harm reduction centers, law enforcement officers are also using different strategies to decrease the risk of opioid overdose and withdrawal complications.

Here are some examples of harm-reduction strategies.

Access to Naloxone

Naloxone is a drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Harm reduction agencies, including private organizations and public health agencies, are working to increase access to naloxone (Narcan). This means making it available in public areas, private businesses, and to residents who want to keep it on hand.

Changes in law enforcement strategies

In the past, law enforcement officers would transport people with addiction to jail after arresting them. Many agencies have begun transporting people to rehab centers where they can receive support throughout the detox process instead. This reduces the risk of withdrawal complications in jail and can help people with addiction get the help they need to begin recovery.

Education

Public education campaigns about opioid abuse and addiction can be an effective harm-reduction strategy. Understanding the addictive potential of opioids and the signs of addiction can help to reduce opioid abuse. It can also teach people how to use Narcan effectively, if necessary.

Harm reduction centers also offer non-judgmental education and support to people with opioid addiction. They may educate people on safer use practices, including how to avoid an overdose.

Support

Harm reduction centers provide many types of support for people living with opioid addiction. This may include education, emotional support, and resources, including information about treatment options, access to food, and more.

Harm reduction strategies have proven to be effective in New Jersey. Since implementing some of these strategies, the state’s opioid overdose deaths have declined for the first time in many years.

What are the Benefits of Harm Reduction Strategies?

Harm reduction strategies don’t rely on treating opioid addiction to reduce the risk of overdose. These strategies acknowledge the reality of opioid abuse and addiction. They work to reduce overdose deaths through broader work in the community and throughout several agencies.

Here are some of the benefits of implementing harm-reduction strategies.

Reducing stigma

Education and changes in law enforcement strategies can help to reduce the stigma surrounding opioid addiction. These strategies can reduce the shame around addiction. People with addiction may be more likely to seek help, and more people may be equipped to recognize and respond to an overdose.

Public education

Public education can help more people recognize and respond to an overdose by using naloxone. It can also provide information about the addictive potential of opioids and allow people to recognize the early signs of abuse and dependence.

Greater access to treatment

The expansion of harm-reduction centers and changes in how law enforcement responds to people with addiction can help connect more people with the treatment they need to overcome opioid addiction.

Wider availability of Naloxone

Greater access to naloxone makes it more likely it will be available when someone experiences an overdose. Wider availability of this lifesaving drug and more public education about how and when to use it can lead to fewer overdose deaths.

Harm reduction strategies are an essential part of reducing the impact of opioid addiction. Treating addiction is another critical aspect of fighting the opioid crisis. Seek treatment as soon as you recognize the signs of opioid abuse or addiction.

Find Treatment Now

If you or someone you love needs treatment for opioid abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Contact the intake specialists at Moving Mountains Recovery to learn about our holistic approach to addiction treatment. Reach out with questions, to verify your insurance, or to schedule an intake appointment.

References:

1. Official Site of the State of New Jersey: Governor Murphy Announces Allocation of $95 Million From New Jersey’s Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund
2. National Institute of Health (NIH): Harm Reduction Approaches to Reduce Overdose Deaths
3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Harm Reduction