{"id":7704,"date":"2025-12-21T21:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-21T21:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7704"},"modified":"2025-12-21T21:30:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-21T21:30:00","slug":"supporting-veterans-through-evidence-based-harm-reduction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7704","title":{"rendered":"Supporting Veterans through evidence-based harm reduction"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2025-12-21T21:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n

Harm reduction saves lives<\/h2>\n

Harm reduction\u2014a proven public health strategy\u2014minimizes the negative health, social and legal effects of injection drug use, giving people who inject a better chance of achieving abstinence by preventing fatal drug overdoses or new infections from HIV or hepatitis C virus (HCV). It recognizes that while some individuals may not yet be ready or able to stop using drugs, they still deserve the opportunity to access resources that can reduce their risk of harm. Harm reduction is grounded in classic values of respect for individuals, dignity and the belief that everyone deserves to live a healthy, fulfilling life.<\/p>\n

Syringe Services Programs (SSPs), a well-established approach to harm reduction, are one of the most effective public health interventions ever devised. By exchanging sterile needles and syringes for used, contaminated injection items, SSP\u2019s can decrease new HIV and HCV infections by up to 67%. In addition, by serving as a \u201cone-stop shop\u201d for harm reduction services, SSP\u2019s can increase the chances of achieving abstinence from drug use five-fold, and they do not enable or increase drug use, nor do they cause increases in crime.<\/p>\n

VA\u2019s harm reduction programs: A beacon of hope<\/h2>\n

VA health care facility SSPs are a cornerstone of VA\u2019s harm reduction strategy. These evidence-based programs provide Veterans with access to sterile syringes and needles, as well as disposal of used equipment. They also provide access to a wide range of other harm reduction services. Some or all these services are available at VA facilities that do not have SSP\u2019s.<\/p>\n