Harm reduction is a public health strategy to reduce the harms associated with certain behaviors. Harm reduction programs have been used to decrease adverse consequences of illicit drug use, alcohol use, mental illness and other illnesses.
Although harm reduction strategies are sometimes seen as conflicting with traditional treatment approaches, the strategies are increasingly and appropriately being recognized as important to the continuum of care. Harm reduction strategies provide an opportunity to engage with individuals, offer broad assistance to those who are struggling, help them survive their current circumstances, decrease the likelihood that their behaviors will harm others, and provide opportunities for entry into other parts of the care continuum as they strive to improve their lives.
Below are some examples of harm reduction efforts happening collaboratively across the state.
Protecting health of Ohioans
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) works to protect and improve the health of all Ohioans by preventing disease, promoting good health, and assuring access to quality care.
Expanding community access to naloxone: Throughout 2019, ODH significantly expanded access to naloxone, a life-saving overdose reversal drug, through local community based Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided with Naloxone) programs and a newly funded subrecipient program. In 2019, preliminary data showed Project DAWN programs distributed 30,356 naloxone kits and received 6,569 reports of overdose reversals. The subrecipient program kicked off with 37 new projects integrating 118 distribution strategies. Efforts are designed to reach Ohio’s highest risk populations in key settings including homeless shelters, syringe-access sites, testing sites for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, and jails and courts. Naloxone is also distributed through work with emergency medical services and law enforcement agencies and via outreach, mail-order, and mobile outreach programs.
Adding overdose prevention strategies: In 2019, ODH worked with 18 local agencies in 25 counties to provide drug overdose prevention strategies, build coalitions, develop strategic plans, and implement overdose fatality reviews. ODH also provided funding to 15 counties to pay for comprehensive prevention programs with an emphasis on connecting high risk individuals with treatment and wraparound services.
Saving lives through targeted resources: In 2018, ODH received about $5.1 million in federal Cooperative Agreement for Emergency Crisis Response funding to bolster resources to reduce the number of fatalities related to drug overdoses. Throughout 2019, the funds were used for surveillance and training projects including coroner overdose death scene investigation training; vulnerability assessments; the enhancement of evidence-based HIV- and Hepatitis C-prevention interventions; and strengthening biosurveillance through EpiCenter, the statewide electronic surveillance system used to alert local health departments to spikes in suspected drug overdoses in their jurisdictions. The funding was also used to establish a comprehensive care model in the emergency departments of three large hospital systems in Hamilton, Summit, and Franklin counties; to establish two pilot sites offering harm reduction services; to launch two marketing campaigns about medication assisted treatment; to provide case management for people with opioid use disorder; and to set up initiatives to improve the transition to care among detox centers, correctional facilities, and hospitals.
Reaching out to stop HIV: The Ohio Department of Health’s HIV Prevention Program coordinates the statewide HIV Prevention Planning Group, develops and implements the Ohio HIV Prevention Plan, coordinates the HIV testing program, and provides training for community partners and public health staff. The HIV Prevention Program also offers funding to community based organizations and public health districts throughout the state to provide prevention interventions for target populations. In 2019, as part of an effort to reduce transmission of HIV among people who inject drugs, the HIV Prevention Program supported 21 prevention health navigators across Ohio. Their services include HIV prevention outreach and education, and support for harm reduction coordination and education.
Offering voluntary exclusion from gaming
In 2019, the Ohio Lottery in conjunction with the Ohio Casino Control Commission successfully launched the Ohio Voluntary Exclusion Program. The harm-reduction program allows Ohioans to voluntarily exclude themselves from all of Ohio’s gaming properties by signing up at one of the 11 state-regulated gaming locations throughout Ohio. More than 1,000 Ohioans have signed up for the program, which offers exclusions for a year, five years, or a lifetime. The program also offers resources to those who believe they have a gambling problem.
