General Public

Harm reduction and overdose prevention have been proven to benefit communities by preventing the negative effects of substance use (including infection and overdose), connecting people to services, reducing emergency room visits, breaking down stigma and rebuilding trust.

Whether you already know a lot about harm reduction and overdose prevention, or are just starting to learn about the topic, we recommend these resources.

Written Resources

• Tips for Finding Whole-person Health, Substance Use and Mental Health Care (July 2024)
• Substance Use Treatment Resource Guide for Black and Hispanic/Latinx Populations (July 2024)
• Bridging Voices: A Journey to Understanding and Healing (July 2024)
• Overdose Risk Assessment Tool: A Guide for Loved Ones and Allies (July 2024)
• Conversation Paths to Support Loved Ones (May 2024)

Blog Posts

• The Double-Edged Sword: Lived Experience, Tokenism and the Portrayal of Addiction Recovery Stories (February 2024)
• Value, Dignity and Respect for All (September 2023)
• This Drug Has Made the Overdose Crisis More Severe (August 2023)
• Restoring Hope. Repairing Lives. Rebuilding Communities. (March 2023)
• Addressing the Nation’s Surging Overdose Crisis (August 2022)
• More Carrot, Less Stick: HHS Approves Program to Help People Overcome Substance Use Challenges (March 2022)
• Medicare Report on OUD Treatments Through Telehealth, Additional Data on Overdose Rates (February 2022)
• Statement from National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia on New CDC Overdose Death Numbers (August 2021)
• Talking Drug Prevention with Young People in 2021: What Works and What Doesn’t (2021)
• Harm Reduction Essential Now and Always (November 2020)
  • Part 1 – National Council Distributes Grants to 16 Harm Reduction Organizations to Address Nation’s Overdose Crisis (March 2021)
  • Part 2 – Harm Reduction Advocates Step Up to Help People in Crisis (March 2021)
• Part 3 – Harm Reduction Advocates Face Hurdles and Hope (April 2021)
• Harm Reduction is About Hope and Saving People’s Lives (July 2019)

Podcasts

• Behavioral Health Today, Episode 118 – Harm Reduction and Saving Lives with Shannon Mace (December 2021)

Videos

• National Council Conversations: Harm Reduction (August 2021)
• Start With Hope — Joseph (90 sec.) (November 2023)
• Start With Hope — Ale (90 sec.) (November 2023)
• Start With Hope — Ariel (90 sec.) (November 2023)

Webinars

• Start With Hope… but Don’t Stop There: Conversations on Black Recovery (June 2024)

Websites

• StartWithHope.com
• ComienzaConEsperanza.com (Spanish)