Progressive Except for Nicotine: A Discussion of States’ Inconsistent Adoption of Harm Reduction Public Policy
March 20, 2024 by rstreet.org
Progressive Except for Nicotine: A Discussion of States’ Inconsistent Adoption of Harm Reduction Public Policy
Hundreds of thousands of Americans die each year from substance-related harms. While people can reduce these risks by avoiding cigarette smoking or opioid use, some individuals who consume substances may not want to quit, and even those who do have abstinence as a goal may not yet be ready or able to achieve it. Recognizing this, many lawmakers who want to save lives and improve well-being at the population level are now looking to evidence-based harm reduction policies as a solution.