Table 6

General harm reduction questions (n = 67)
Item
 N
 %
Definitions of harm reduction

     reducing harm from substance use I incurred by the individual by reducing or eliminating the use of that substance
 3
 4.5
     reducing the harm from substance use incurred by the individual and reducing their use of that substance
 6
 9.0
     reducing the harm from substance use incurred by the individual without necessarily reducing their use of that substance
 16
 23.9
     reducing the harm associated with substance use to the community or society as a whole
 8
 11.9
     don't know
 3
 4.5
     Other
 36
 53.7
     reducing the harm associated with substance use
 7
 10.4



Most important elements of harm reduction

     disease reduction
 4
 6.0
     empowering the client
 7
 10.4
     improving the quality of life of client
 4
 6.0
     reducing negative consequences associated with drug/alcohol use
 1
 1.5
     flexibility/options
 7
 10.4
     education/awareness on the part of the client
 13
 19.4
     education/awareness on the part of the community
 8
 11.9
     client choice
 11
 16.4
     empathy
 5
 7.5
     accurate assessment
 2
 3.0
     don't know
 3
 4.5
     Other
 40
 59.7



Most appealing aspects of harm reduction

     disease reduction
 6
 9.0
     reduced health costs
 2
 3.0
     May provide a gateway/bridge into treatment
 6
 9.0
     it's more palatable to clients than abstinence
 6
 9.0
     client choice
 16
 23.9
     it's nonjudgmental
 13
 19.4
     it's client centered
 14
 20.9
     it's appropriate for some clients
 3
 4.5
     it's pragmatic/practical
 9
 13.4
     it provides flexibility/options
 7
 10.4
     it empowers the client
 8
 11.9
     don't know
 1
 1.5
     Other
 24
 35.8



Most troubling aspects of harm reduction

     it's not appropriate for or in the best interest of all clients
 14
 20.9
     it's often misunderstood and misapplied
 14
 20.9
     it creates moral and ethical dilemmas for the community
 2
 3.0
     it creates moral and ethical dilemmas for the therapist
 8
 11.9
     negative public attitudes
 4
 6.0
     it's difficult to use illicit drugs safely
 2
 3.0
     abstinence is better
 7
 10.4
     harm reduction should be accompanied by counseling
 2
 3.0
     don't know
 2
 3.0
     Other
 38
 56.7




Mean
On a scale from 0 to 10 with 0 = "not at all favorable" and 10 = "extremely favorable," how would you feel about helping some alcohol/drug abusers use substances more safely without necessarily trying to reduce their use of these substances?
 6.51

Hobden and Cunningham Harm Reduction Journal 2006 3:35   doi:10.1186/1477-7517-3-35

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