Harm Reduction Journal

The Harm Reduction Journal is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that publishes research and commentary on approaches diminishing the harm of stigmatization and criminalization of public health, human rights and social justice issues. Harm Reduction Journal encourages submissions on a wide range of topics and we define harm reduction as 'policies and programs aiming to reduce the health, social, and economic costs of a behavior without necessarily reducing the behavior itself'. 

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Ernest Drucker, a founding father of the harm reduction movement, on Jan. 26 at his home in Manhattan.
Ernie was, by every single account, a compassionate and caring man. He was a diligent and unapologetic campaigner for harm reduction, insisting that we should not punish people for who they are and the decisions they make, but instead we should help them become healthier and more fulfilled.
He was the founder of numerous organizations dedicated to this cause across issues such as AIDS, prison reform, drug policy and homelessness. Ernie was crucial to the Harm Reduction Journal and joined as our Founding Editor in 2009. Without him, the journal would simply not serve people in the way it can today. 
We are immensely grateful for his contributions to society, and we encourage you to read the touching New York Times Obituary, published February 5th 2025.