Needle exchanges as harm reduction organizations  

Needle exchange programs see themselves as part of a larger harm reduction movement. By slowing the spread of HIV, they are reducing the harm from injecting drug use.  

Without calling it that, we, as a society, practice harm reduction all the time.  We reduce the harm of riding a motorcycle by requiring riders to wear helmets. We reduce the harm from car accidents by requiring people to wear seat belts.  We reduce the harm to nonsmokers by requiring that smoking be done only in designated areas.  We reduce the harm from excessive drinking at parties and bars by encouraging the use of a designated driver who does not drink.  By preventing the spread of HIV and other blood-borne diseases, needle exchange programs reduce the harm that comes from injecting drug use.