THR Global OriginalPolicy & Regulation
1 June 2026
The Future of Harm Reduction Will Depend on Whether Health Systems Can Operate Beyond Criminalisation Frameworks
This article argues that harm reduction cannot reach its full potential while health systems remain intertwined with punitive drug control frameworks. It explores how criminalisation creates invisible barriers to care, discourages service utilisation, fragments continuity of care, and embeds stigma into health system operations. Ultimately, it contends that the future of harm reduction depends not only on expanding services, but on creating healthcare environments that can operate independently of enforcement logic and prioritise health outcomes over punishment.
Melody Okereke • Policy & Regulation • Gobal • Nigeria