Harm Reduction Paper
Harm Reduction paper
Randy Jones
Substance Abuse Counselling
January 18, 2012
This paper will discuss the principles and position of harm reduction. It will also examine the public perception of the user, which has created an ineffective philosophy. Most importantly, my paper seeks to recognize the harm of harm reduction. This discussion will highlight the lack of hope it creates in the user. Harm reduction needs to be addressed so that a long-term solution for the user can be implemented, not just a quick fix Band-Aid solution. If caregivers, counselors and the general public do not hold more of an abstinence position on recovery they will eventually do users a disservice. I will touch on needle exchange, safe injection sites, wet houses, decriminalization and legalization of marijuana.
The Position Of Harm Reduction
The International Harm Reduction Development program defines harm reduction as "a pragmatic and humanistic approach to diminishing the individual and social harms associated with drug use, especially the risk of Hiv infection (Farm, 2010, Para .1)." The people promoting harm reduction do not see a cure being realistic for all of society. Through this pragmatic approach, they believe that they are able to effectively broaden and bring flexibly to their interventions.
The harm reductionist view is not to focus on how much a person uses per se. They want to reduce the harm that may be created by general health, financial and social context. Some of the harm reduction strategies include: needle & syringe exchange programs, public smoking restrictions, methadone maintenance programs, education & outreach programs, condom distribution programs, “safer“ grads and raves, designated driver programs, sex education for youth, decriminalization and legalization of marijuana and wet houses.
Wet houses provide a free homeless shelter and alcohol under supervision. In this shelter, the user has the option of cutting down without the unrealistic view
Randy Jones
Substance Abuse Counselling
January 18, 2012
This paper will discuss the principles and position of harm reduction. It will also examine the public perception of the user, which has created an ineffective philosophy. Most importantly, my paper seeks to recognize the harm of harm reduction. This discussion will highlight the lack of hope it creates in the user. Harm reduction needs to be addressed so that a long-term solution for the user can be implemented, not just a quick fix Band-Aid solution. If caregivers, counselors and the general public do not hold more of an abstinence position on recovery they will eventually do users a disservice. I will touch on needle exchange, safe injection sites, wet houses, decriminalization and legalization of marijuana.
The Position Of Harm Reduction
The International Harm Reduction Development program defines harm reduction as "a pragmatic and humanistic approach to diminishing the individual and social harms associated with drug use, especially the risk of Hiv infection (Farm, 2010, Para .1)." The people promoting harm reduction do not see a cure being realistic for all of society. Through this pragmatic approach, they believe that they are able to effectively broaden and bring flexibly to their interventions.
The harm reductionist view is not to focus on how much a person uses per se. They want to reduce the harm that may be created by general health, financial and social context. Some of the harm reduction strategies include: needle & syringe exchange programs, public smoking restrictions, methadone maintenance programs, education & outreach programs, condom distribution programs, “safer“ grads and raves, designated driver programs, sex education for youth, decriminalization and legalization of marijuana and wet houses.
Wet houses provide a free homeless shelter and alcohol under supervision. In this shelter, the user has the option of cutting down without the unrealistic view
References: www.aidsaction.org http://www.scribd.com/dawn_farm/d/39341924-Harm-Reduction-Position-Paper http://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/09/us/advocate-of-moderation-for-heavy-drinkers-learns-sobering-lesson.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm http://stonetreeaus.wordpress.com/2011/06/24/a-case-against-the-argument-that-harm-reduction-strategies-are-costly-and-encourage-people-to-use-drugs/