Harm Reduction as a Practice and Prevention Model for Social Work

Abstract

Harm reduction is an emerging prevention and practice model for helping professionals that views any positive change in undesired, problematic, or risky target behaviors as a successful outcome. Although it originated in the field of chemical dependency, the philosophy and strategies of harm reduction are pertinent to a wide variety of complex social welfare and public health issues. The harm reduction approach seems ideally suited as a guide to practice in virtually all social work settings and reflects fundamental values and beliefs of the social work profession including the inherent worth and dignity of individuals, client self-determination, and the strengths perspective. In addition, harm reduction is applicable at the micro-, mezzo-, and macrolevels of practice. This article introduces readers to the basic tenets of harm reduction and discusses the application of this model to social work practice. The author concludes by arguing for the integration of harm reduction into the undergraduate social work curriculum.