Policy Forum 

# The Harm Reduction Promise of GLP-1s 

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Date and Time 

January 24, 2025 12 - 1:30 PM EST 

Location 

Cato Institute, 1000 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 

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##### Featuring 

![Sally Satel, MD - cropped](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2025-01/sally-satel-circle-cropped.jpg?itok=IpDqC5Ym) 

Sally Satel, MD 

Lecturer, Yale University School of Medicine Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute Medical Director, MedMark (Methadone) Treatment Clinic

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](https://x.com/slsatel) 

![Nicholas Reville - circle portrait](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2025-01/Nicholas-Reville-circle-cropped.jpg?itok=JLEkHy0o) 

Nicholas Reville 

Co-founder and Executive Director, Center for Addiction Science, Policy, and Research (CASPR)

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](https://x.com/nreville) [ 

](mailto:reville@caspr.org) 

[![Michael F. Cannon](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2021-01/Michael%20Cannon.jpg?itok=0UROn8Dc)](/people/michael-f-cannon) 

[Michael F. Cannon](/people/michael-f-cannon)

Director of Health Policy Studies, Cato Institute

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](https://x.com/mfcannon) [ 

](mailto:mcannon@cato.org) 

[![jeff-singer-cropped.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2024-05/jeff-singer-cropped.jpg?itok=G_0nEnx7)](/people/jeffrey-singer) 

[Jeffrey A. Singer](/people/jeffrey-singer)

Senior Fellow, Cato Institute

[ 

](https://x.com/dr4liberty) [ 

](mailto:jsinger@cato.org) 

Could GLP-1s become the next frontier in harm reduction? Clinical researchers have discovered that GLP‑1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy not only aid with diabetes and weight loss but may also reduce cravings and enhance satiation for alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, opioids, and possibly other addictive drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine. These exciting developments mean GLP-1s may soon become a new harm-reduction tool and possibly transform the treatment of substance use disorders. Our expert panel will explore the latest findings, their transformative implications for addiction treatment, and policies to improve affordability and access for those who need them.

**Lunch to follow.**

### Additional Resources

- “[GLP‑1 for Addiction: the Medical Evidence for Opioid, Nicotine, and Alcohol Use Disorder,](https://recursiveadaptation.com/p/the-growing-scientific-case-for-using)” by Nicholas Reville and Zarinah Agnew
- “[The Breakthrough Drug to Conquer Addiction: Ozempic?,](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/18/opinion/addiction-ozempic-glp-1.html)” by Maia Szalavitz
- “ [It’s Time for Over-the-Counter Ozempic,](https://reason.com/2024/05/22/its-time-for-over-the-counter-ozempic/)” by Charles M. Silver, Jeffrey A. Singer, and Michael F. Cannon
- “[GLP‑1 Agonists: A New Hope for Substance Use Disorders?,](https://www.realclearhealth.com/blog/2024/07/05/glp-1_agonists_a_new_hope_for_substance_use_disorders_1042583.html)” by Jeffrey A. Singer
- “[Drug Reformation: End Government’s Power to Require Prescriptions,](https://www.cato.org/white-paper/drug-reformation-end-governments-power-require-prescriptions)” by Jeffrey A. Singer and Michael F. Cannon
- “[RFK Jr. Says Drug Addicts Need Tough Love. Is He Right?,](https://sallysatelmd.com/articles/2025/rfk-jr-says-drug-addicts-need-tough-love-is-he-right-2/)” by Sally Satel

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