Harnessing the language of overdose prevention to advance evidence-based responses to the opioid crisis

Language has significant implications for how we view and respond to public health issues. Conventional moralistic messaging around drug use stigmatizes people who use drugs and inhibits the implementation of evidence-based harm reduction interventions that do not condemn drug use. However, within the context of the unprecedented North American opioid overdose crisis, we argue that shifting conventional moral messaging around overdose prevention and response strategies is key to supporting the rapid roll-out of evidence-based harm reduction interventions.
Source: International Journal of Drug Policy - Category: Addiction Authors: Tags: Commentary Source Type: research