Introducing the Harm Reduction Collaboration Framework for Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change

To address the multifaceted nature of injection drug use (IDU), we must address the complex relationship between people who inject drugs (PWID) and their external environment. As part of a community–academic partnership, a framework was developed to address the gaps in current theoretical models and community practice. Our Harm Reduction Collaboration Framework (HRCF) accepts PWID as key stakeholders and presents a practical framework in which PWID and community organizations partner in decision making to influence policy, systems, and environmental change. We provide examples of two organizations that have made substantive changes in implementing harm reduction strategies in their communities by utilizing the HRCF.