Committed to improving the health and well-being of all people across every state.

Harm Reduction in the COVID-19 Era: States Respond with Innovations

Despite COVID-19 workarounds, such as telehealth and virtual recovery programs enabled by flexible federal guidelines, more than 40 states have reported increases in drug overdoses during the pandemic, underscoring the importance of keeping state harm reduction programs as accessible as possible. 

As COVID-19 upends the nation’s health care systems, treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) has shifted to telehealth environments and recovery programs have gone virtual as state and federal policymakers adjust regulations and guidance to maintain access to services. But the unique risks facing people with SUD during this time of isolation and mandatory social distancing are also becoming more clear.

State-authorized harm reduction programs that provide syringe exchange services, testing for infectious diseases and referral to treatment, and connections to treatment for opioid use disorder and other SUDs provide a critical intervention. Despite the challenges of implementing COVID-19 protocols for what have traditionally been in-person services, states have developed flexibilities and innovative approaches to ensuring that these programs continue to provide critical, ongoing support to people with SUD until they are ready for treatment. 

State guidance for harm reduction providers in response to COVID-19:

The guidance that state officials and agencies have developed recognize the unique challenges that face harm reduction providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many states acknowledge harm reduction as an essential service and some have temporarily loosened program restrictions to ensure the continuity of services during the pandemic.

  • The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) authorized its Syringe Service Programs (SSP) to provide curbside services and phone orders for syringes, naloxone, and other supplies. OHA also suggested operational shifts in staffing, distancing protocols, and volunteer management to mitigate COVID-19 transmission among staff, volunteers, and clients. OHA included messaging in support of people who use drugs (PWUD) in order to maintain their safety during the pandemic. The messaging emphasized the increased respiratory risks associated with drug use and COVID-19 and provided guidance on how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection as well as the risk of overdose during the pandemic.  
  • In Maine, Gov. Janet Mills issued an Executive Order on March 30, 2020, suspending an existing one-to-one syringe exchange rule, thereby increasing the number of syringes individuals can take home at once. The order also allows flexibility in mail delivery services, needle exchange site locations and operational hours and provided on-site social distancing protocols. 
  • The Missouri Department of Mental Health issued comprehensive COVID-19 guidance in mid-March, which featured published resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Harm Reduction Coalition, and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC), as well as best practices from other states and programs. Missouri’s guidance includes operational directives for treatment and harm reduction providers, as well as practical harm reduction guidance for PWUD, particularly individuals who use drugs alone. 

Adaptations in harm reduction services:

Harm reduction programs are making policy shifts to develop practices that respond to the specific needs of their communities. As states and municipalities have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic at varying degrees of restrictiveness, harm reduction programs have also tailored their programs to respond to the pandemic. 

  • Operational changes. Programs in Washington and other states have shifted services outdoors. They now provide curbside or mobile services and have closed their fixed sites entirely and instead rely on delivery services. Many Washington State SSP programs have limited hours and scope of services. In New York, SSPs have been operating with skeletal staff and reduced resources. In response to the new limitations on in-person service, 22 of 23 of New York’s SSPs now rely on some form of peer-delivered syringe services. 
  • Shifts in testing priorities. In addition to continuing to provide harm reduction services, some SSPs in Washington now provide COVID-19 screening and testing at their program sites. West Virginia’s harm reduction programs have reduced the amount of non-COVID-19 infectious disease testing they’re conducting and the amount of hepatitis A and B immunizations they administer, in order to focus on COVID-19 and the immediate needs of individuals with SUD.
  • Emphasizing naloxone distribution. As overdose rates continue to rise during the pandemic, states are increasing access to the overdose-reversal drug naloxone. Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Health signed an updated standing order that allows community organizations to distribute naloxone through mail. Ohio’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services has provided official guidance to all community programs through its statewide Project DAWN overdose reversal initiative to maintain minimal contact with individuals who need services while maximizing naloxone distribution as a strategy to mitigate overdoses. Additionally, the US Department of Health and Human Services has published guidance for first responders to safely administer naloxone during the pandemic. 

Looking Ahead

As states begin to consider the impact of COVID-19 on their budgets, programming, and future planning, maintaining harm reduction programs may become more challenging. Harm reduction programs are often supported by multiple funding streams, and program administrators and policymakers may consider leveraging federal grants and other non-state funds to maintain these services. In addition to ensuring access to infectious disease prevention and life-saving treatment and recovery services, harm reduction programs offer a mechanism to maintain engagement with people who have SUD and reduce their risk of overdose, which results from isolation.

This work was funded by the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE). The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies or stance, either expressed or implied, of FORE. FORE is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for foundation purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation hereon.

Search

Sign Up for Our Weekly Newsletter

* indicates required
Please enter a valid email address.
Areas of Interest