Do ‘harm reduction’ interventions for substance use lower or raise trust in government?

“Harm reduction” interventions for substance use such as needle exchange programs and methadone distribution aim to reduce the adverse effects of substance use, rather than punish or prevent it, and have repeatedly shown to lower the risk of overdoses, mortality, and drug-related crime. But in many communities in rural America, there is a stigma attached to these approaches. Psychologists at the Penn’s Annenberg Public Policy Center and the Social Action Lab have examined the relationship between harm reduction policies and citizens’ belief that their government is competent and acting in their best interest. Data from the field surveys show a clear positive association between the perception of governmental support for comprehensive drug policies and trust in the local government.

From Annenberg Public Policy Center