Episode 54: Understanding Harm Reduction as Prevention

Kimberly Nelson (Kim), she is the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, otherwise known as (SAMHSA) Regional Administrator. Kim has served Region 7: Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska, since 2015, and has worked in the behavioral health care field since 1992.

Perhaps most importantly, Kim is a person in long term recovery and is a Licensed Addictions Counselor and a Certified Peer Support Specialist.  Her foundation in clinical work in the community, or with serving criminal justice clients, and a stint as a Medicaid Coordinator; ensuring alignment with addiction services, demonstrates that Kim is passionate about guiding systems toward change.  In her current role she wears many hats on any given day, but that makes her uniquely qualified for our discussion today about recent data trends and how the future of harm reduction fits into the prevention of tomorrow.

Website: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/harm-reduction

Email: Kimberly.Nelson@samhsa.hhs.gov

Poster: What is Harm Reduction