How would a certification in harm reduction impact service delivery and the harm reduction workforce? A qualitative study
This article highlights research on harm reduction workforce perspectives on certification, conducted by our partners at the University of North Carolina's Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center. The study examined how harm reduction administrators believe certification could impact service delivery and the profession. Results showed mixed opinions: 55% of respondents supported certification, seeing it as a way to standardize training and legitimize the field, while 45% opposed it, citing concerns that certification could be exclusionary, undervalue lived experience, and fail to ensure skill competency. These findings highlight the ongoing debate around certification in harm reduction and suggest a need for further research on how to balance professional standards with the field's core values.