The Role of Fear in Harm Reduction: Replication Package

Background: Misinformation about fentanyl exposure risks may affect first responders’ will-
ingness to administer naloxone. This study examines its impact in New York State, focusing on
behavioral changes after a widely publicized event promoting the false belief that brief contact
with fentanyl is lethal.
Methods This study examines quarterly naloxone administration data (2015–2019) in Upstate
New York, sourced from the New York State Department of Health. It categorizes adminis-
trations by law enforcement, emergency medical services, and community programs. Using a
differences-in-differences quasi-experimental approach, it compares administration rate changes
across responder types before and after the misinformation event.
Results Findings indicate a significant decline in naloxone administration by law enforcement
officers following the media event, suggesting increased hesitancy to render aid due to unfounded
fears of fentanyl exposure. No comparable decline is observed among harm reduction profession-
als, highlighting the selective impact of misinformation on responder behavior.
Conclusions These results underscore the potential adverse effects of misinformation on public
health outcomes, particularly in emergency overdose response. The findings provide a new per-
spective on the inconsistent empirical results regarding harm reduction policies and emphasize
the need for targeted education and training initiatives to counteract misinformation among first
responders.