Familiarity and Support: Public Perceptions of Harm Reduction Strategies in Pennsylvania

Opioid misuse is a public health crisis in the United States, leading to high rates of addiction, overdose, disease, and death. There are strategies to reduce the harmful consequences associated with opioid use. Harm reduction strategies (HRS) are part of a broader, comprehensive approach to addressing the opioid crisis. By studying and implementing these strategies, communities can develop a more holistic approach to address the complexities of opioid addiction. How the public perceives HRS can influence their likelihood of being implemented across communities. This study examines how familiarity with substance use disorder (SUD) influences support for HRS.

Data for this study were taken from a statewide survey of opioid use disorder stigma among adult Pennsylvanians. Participants were asked their level of support for the use of four HRS (i.e., needle exchange programs (NEP), naloxone distribution (ND), safe-injection sites, and fentanyl test strips [FTS]) and familiarity with people with SUD. A linear mixed effects model for repeated measures was used to examine support for HRS between two groups (familiar versus unfamiliar).

In general, familiarity resulted in greater support for HRS. People who have a family member or close friend suffering from SUD were significantly more supportive of ND and NEP compared to those with no personal connection to SUD, but no differences were found for safe injection sites (SIS) or FTS.

The results underscore the importance of personalized experience in shaping public perception of HRS.