Harm Reduction Perspectives of the Opioid Epidemic from Kansans, for Kansas: A Thematic Analysis

Substantial increases in drug overdose deaths, the prevailing lack of access to care for substance use disorder, and the adverse effects of stigma and criminalization underlie the need for comprehensive evidence-based strategies that improve the health, safety, and well-being of people who use drugs. Harm reduction has emerged as a promising approach in the mitigation of substance-related harms. However, many harm reduction strategies remain illegal especially in Kansas. Eleven stakeholders, including law enforcement/criminal justice officials, state legislators, and health care professionals were interviewed to explore their perspectives on harm reduction and gather their recommendations Using reflexive thematic analysis, we developed three themes for the first research question (stigma, alternatives to criminalization, and authentic conversations and relationships) and six themes for the second research question (roadmap to a more comprehensive harm reduction, barriers to harm reduction, facilitators to harm reduction, connection of harm reduction to behavioral health reform, social determinants of health, and protection of public safety).