Harm Reduction

The fundamental goal of harm reduction is to safeguard lives. It is also to uphold the well-being of both people who use drugs and their communities.

Harm reduction is an evidence-based, public health approach. It provides vital tools and information to foster positive change. People who use drugs encounter challenges that impact their mental and physical well-being.

Harm reduction aims to empower people who use drugs to make informed decisions. The goal is to prevent adverse health consequences.

Harm reduction programs work towards reducing discrimination and stigma. These programs also ensure people who use drugs have access to essential health services.

Principles Guiding Harm Reduction Approaches

Key principles guiding harm reduction approaches include:

  • being non-judgmental,
  • treating individuals with dignity and respect,
  • providing holistic and person-centered services,
  • allowing those with lived experience to take leadership roles,
  • and promoting feasible and evidence-based interventions.

Together we can end stigma

Community-Wide Substance Use Assessment Highlights

  • Stigma was identified as the #1 barrier preventing individuals from seeking support for substance use challenges.
  • 85% of community partners said stigma must be reduced to successfully address substance use in Outagamie County.
  • 78.1% of survey respondents know at least one person who has used or is currently using substances other than alcohol or nicotine.
  • The survey was open from November 18, 2024 – December 31, 2024 and 448 responses were collected.

Read the Report(PDF, 3MB)

Our End Stigma campaign is about real people—our neighbors, coworkers, and community members—who live and work in the Fox Valley region. These individuals are fathers, mothers, and loved ones who have shared their stories of recovery. They are courageous, inspirational, and an important part of our community. We thank them for their willingness to participate and remind everyone that their stories matter.

As one community member shared when asked what would prevent them from seeking treatment for a substance use concern, "Knowing I wouldn't be judged, just helped, would make all the difference."

Resources

We invite you to explore our stigma resources to start the conversation and end the stigma.

Local

Brown County Coalition for Suicide Prevention
Works on mental health awareness, substance use prevention, and reducing stigma through community partnerships and education.

NAMI Fox Valley
Offers education, advocacy, and support groups to reduce stigma around mental health and substance use.

Support Others, Support Yourself
Offers education and support group information to help others provide mental health support.

WISE (Wisconsin Initiative for Stigma Elimination) – Local Chapter
Partners with organizations in the Fox Valley region to implement stigma-reducing programs and public awareness campaigns.

State

Dose of Reality (Wisconsin Department of Justice & DHS)
A statewide campaign aimed at preventing opioid misuse and reducing stigma around addiction and recovery.

Real Talks Wisconsin (DHS Initiative)
Focuses on reducing stigma through open conversations about substance use and mental health.

Small Talks (DHS Initiative)
Encourages parents and caregivers to have conversations with youth about alcohol and drug use to reduce stigma and prevent misuse.

WI Voices for Recovery
A statewide peer-driven movement focused on stigma reduction, policy advocacy, and supporting recovery communities.

Wisconsin Harm Reduction Technical Assistance Center (HRTAC)
Provides technical assistance, education, and support for harm reduction programs across Wisconsin focusing on non-judgmental care, inclusion of people who use drugs (PWUD), and addressing social inequalities related to substance use.

WISE (Wisconsin Initiative for Stigma Elimination)
A coalition working to reduce stigma around mental health and substance use disorders through education, training, and advocacy.

 

National

Addiction Policy Forum
Combats substance use stigma through education, advocacy, and community engagement to promote compassionate, science-based approaches.

African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence
Reduces stigma by promoting culturally responsive approaches to substance use and mental health care, ensuring equitable access to support and recovery for African American communities.

Flinn Foundation’s Ending Stigma Campaign
Focuses on eliminating stigma surrounding mental illness and substance use disorders through community awareness and policy initiatives.

Johns Hopkins Medicine Stigma of Addiction Initiative
Highlights the harmful impact of addiction stigma and promotes healthcare-based strategies to improve treatment and recovery outcomes.

LGBTQ+ Equity Center
Helps reduce stigma by advocating for inclusive, affirming substance use and mental health care for LGBTQ+ individuals, addressing disparities and promoting equitable access to support and recovery.

Mental Health America (MHA) Stigma Reduction
Works to dismantle stigma around mental health and substance use through public education, advocacy, and support resources.

National Federation of Families
Works to reduce stigma surrounding substance use and mental health challenges by advocating for family-driven care, providing education, and supporting policies that promote understanding and recovery.

National Harm Reduction Coalition
Provides harm reduction training, policy advocacy, and community-based education to reduce stigma and improve access to care.

Partnership to End Addiction
Provides education and advocacy to reduce stigma and improve treatment access for substance use disorders.

Recovery Advocacy Project
A national network aiming to build a visible and effective constituency to demand community and public policy-based solutions in addressing addiction and recovery.

Reframing Aging Initiative
Works to reduce stigma by changing public perceptions of aging, including addressing biases that impact older adults with substance use disorders, promoting more accurate and compassionate narratives.

Shatterproof
A national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the stigma of addiction through advocacy, education, and support programs.


 

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