Harm reduction has been around since the early 1960 surfacing when the Black Panthers started survival programs such as Free Breakfast for Children and Youth, educational programs, and community health Clinics 1967-1982. They advocated for social change and criminal justice reform.
Women during the 1960-1970 advocated to have control over their own reproductive rights to save thousands of women from dying due to seeking abortions illegal. This powerful force of women activist lead the way to Supreme Court decision in Roe vs Wade, legalizing abortions.
Harm reduction principles where also prevalent during AIDS Crisis in the 1980-1990's. In 1969 the first methadone maintenance treatment program was created in Washington, D.C that oversaw parolees.
In 1984 the first Needle Exchange Program was established in Amsterdam. The primary focus of the NEP was to decrease contaminated needles and reducing the spread of bloodborne pathogens in the community.
In 1996 the first naloxone distribution program was founded in Chicago after a co-founder of Chicago Recovery Alliance was lost to a overdose.
