AHRN is involved in five key activities
- Networking
- Information sharing
- Advocacy and support for harm reduction enabling policies
- Programme and policy development
- Training and capacity building

These activities essentially translate into a range of services, including the development of strategic partnerships with international organisations, the inclusion and representation of civil society groups at key events and meetings, a resource centre (online and offline library), publication of a newsletter and electronic reports.

In support of these five key areas, AHRN also conducts research. To date, AHRN has been able to contribute to the mapping of harm reduction programmes and policies in Asia, an evaluation of ARV access among IDUs, and a multi-site research on the environmental factors that shape the drug careers of young people.