This review of studies concentrates on establishing the effectiveness of harm reduction interventions as established in Australia and identifying gaps in knowledge.

Harm reduction interventions reviewed include needle syringe programs, supervised injecting facilities, non-injecting routes of administration, outreach, education and information, brief interventions, overdose prevention interventions, and legal and regulatory frameworks.

Findings suggest that the integration of a number of harm reduction interventions will produce the greatest impact. Harms arise from the illegal status of drugs and drug use. Thus, there are a number of harm reduction interventions that involve legislative or regulatory interventions.