Harm Reduction Stakeholder Analysis: A Summary of Findings

To address the nation’s unprecedented overdose crisis and to improve the health of people who use drugs (PWUD), individuals should have access to a full continuum of care, including harm reduction services. Mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment organizations play a vital role in supporting PWUD, including providing or linking them to harm reduction services and related supports.

To better understand the technical assistance needs among mental health and SUD treatment providers related to adopting harm reduction services for PWUD, the National Council, with support from the National Association of County and City Health Officials, conducted a mixed-methods stakeholder analysis between February and July 2022.

The stakeholder analysis included a literature review and a national survey conducted with a convenience sample of mental health and SUD treatment professionals employed within National Council member organizations. A total of 151 eligible respondents participated in the survey representing at least 33 states. The majority of respondents who identified their professional role or title held leadership positions within their organizations. Respondent organizations primarily served urban or urban and rural areas.