“Harm reduction is based on the principle that people are responsible for their behavior, that they make personal choices that affect their health and well-being, and that they can make safer and better decisions if they are given the means to do so. useful and honest information” (Mathre, 2002, p. 106). Harm reduction recognizes people's unhealthy choices while attempting to reduce the harmful effects resulting from these unhealthy behaviors (Marlatt, 1998 cited in Brown, Luna, Ramirez, Vail, & Williams, 2005). Using a harm reduction approach has a positive effect on drug users because it helps reduce the negative consequences associated with drug use. Although harm reduction aims to reduce the harms associated with illegal drug use, it is considered "unethical and inconsistent with the ethical practices of health care providers" (Lightfoot et al., 2009, p.17). In this article, the strengths and limitations of using harm reduction as an approach to reduce the negative effects of (illegal) substance abuse and the implications this has for nursing care will be discussed. Search Keywords and Databases The database that was used to collect the data in this article was the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) database, and the keywords that were used to help to conduct this research were “strengths of harm reduction”, “limitations of harm reduction”, “harm reduction in nursing”. , "using harm reduction as a nurse", "harm reduction implications" and "harm reduction".Strengths of harm reductionHarm reduction is a non-judgmental approach used to reduce the harms of the 'illegal substance abuse, which notices unhealthy behaviors of people but still views them with respect and dignity...... middle of document...... Although a harm reduction approach is generally considered beneficial for drug users, it can sometimes be difficult for nurses to promote harm reduction because they may “face ethical concerns related to illegal drug use; they can find themselves caught between evidence and ethics on the one hand and politics and law on the other” (Lightfoot et al., 2009, p. 20). Nurses may struggle to maintain relationships and care with clients due to their personal beliefs and values ​​(Lightfoot et al., 2009). When reducing harms resulting from unhealthy choices, such as the misuse of illegal substances, nurses must refrain from being judgmental and negative because, although they have their strengths and limitations, "the "The goal of nursing is to promote health and reduce harm." by injury, illness or poor self-care” (Mathre, 2002, p.. 106).