Board Approves Policy Proposal on Harm Reduction of Illicit Drug Use

February 16, 2023

At its February 8 meeting, the MMA Board of Trustees (BOT) approved a policy proposal titled “Harm Reduction of Illicit Drug Use,” which contains language on a set of strategies to reduce the negative consequences associated with illicit drug use. 

The policy covers the following topics: 

• Reducing Stigma Associated with Drug Use 

• Drug Checking (e.g., for fentanyl, etc.) 

• Access to Safe Drug Use Supplies 

• Drug Testing (e.g., workplace drug testing) 

• Medication for Opioid Use Disorder 

• Naloxone Access 

• Opioid Overdose Training 

• Overdose Prevention Centers (i.e., Supervised Consumption/Injection Sites) 

The proposal was originally drafted by the MMA Illicit Drug Harm Reduction and Decriminalization Work Group (IDWG), which was formed by the MMA Policy Council to study the issue from May to November of 2022. In November, the Policy Council formally recommended the proposal for adoption by the MMA Board of Trustees (BOT). 

Prior to BOT consideration, the lengthy proposal was split into six sections and uploaded to The Pulse for member-wide feedback. The range of voting members across all proposal sections was 172 to 184. The range of “yes” vote percentages across all proposal sections was 91% to 98%.  

The BOT also approved a policy proposal titled “Decriminalization of Simple Possession of Illicit Drugs” in December 2022. A Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQ) document on this proposal can be found here. 

The Pulse, available only to MMA members, can be used to submit policy proposals for MMA consideration, vote on policy proposals prior to MMA Board action, and provide feedback on decisions made by the MMA Board.    

If you have questions about the proposal, please contact Adrian Uphoff, health policy analyst.