Harm reduction strategies
Introduction
Drug abuse is a problem that many societies face which crosses gender, ethnic and racial lines. The problem of substance abuse has been identified by the National Drug Master Plan as a fuel for crime, poverty, reduced productivity, unemployment, dysfunctional family life, political instability and the escalation of chronic diseases such as AIDS, TB and premature death (Drug Advisory Board, 1999). Intravenous injection, a method of drug consumption through the use of a syringe to inject substances into the vein by an individual, has specifically been found to be related to high levels of HIV (Howard, Arcuri & Hunt, 2003; World Health Organization, 2006). Even with the presence of treatment and rehabilitation, most people who make behavioral changes do in fact relapse (Latimer, et al., 2000; Titus, Godley and White, 2006; Dennis, et al., 2007) thus an alternative method to preventing further problems is the concept of harm reduction. This essay will thereby explore the strategies of harm reduction including its potential negative and positive aspects for injecting drug users and its relation to crime. Furthermore, it will explore extended harm reduction services specifically for drug users in Austria.
Injecting drug use is acknowledged in 135 countries (UNODC, 2004) and is associated with various large scale problems. In a study conducted by Peltzer, Ramlagan and Phaswana-Mafuya (2010) the authors revealed that the increase in violent and organized crime among the more affluent population to be associated with the increase of drug use and abuse. A connection between drug use and crime is thus recognised. As reported by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (2006) drug abuse is implicated in at least three types of drug related offenses, i.e. offenses defined by drug possession or sales; offenses directly related to drug abuse and offenses related to a lifestyle that predisposes the drug abuser to engage in illegal activity.
Although biological,
Drug abuse is a problem that many societies face which crosses gender, ethnic and racial lines. The problem of substance abuse has been identified by the National Drug Master Plan as a fuel for crime, poverty, reduced productivity, unemployment, dysfunctional family life, political instability and the escalation of chronic diseases such as AIDS, TB and premature death (Drug Advisory Board, 1999). Intravenous injection, a method of drug consumption through the use of a syringe to inject substances into the vein by an individual, has specifically been found to be related to high levels of HIV (Howard, Arcuri & Hunt, 2003; World Health Organization, 2006). Even with the presence of treatment and rehabilitation, most people who make behavioral changes do in fact relapse (Latimer, et al., 2000; Titus, Godley and White, 2006; Dennis, et al., 2007) thus an alternative method to preventing further problems is the concept of harm reduction. This essay will thereby explore the strategies of harm reduction including its potential negative and positive aspects for injecting drug users and its relation to crime. Furthermore, it will explore extended harm reduction services specifically for drug users in Austria.
Injecting drug use is acknowledged in 135 countries (UNODC, 2004) and is associated with various large scale problems. In a study conducted by Peltzer, Ramlagan and Phaswana-Mafuya (2010) the authors revealed that the increase in violent and organized crime among the more affluent population to be associated with the increase of drug use and abuse. A connection between drug use and crime is thus recognised. As reported by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (2006) drug abuse is implicated in at least three types of drug related offenses, i.e. offenses defined by drug possession or sales; offenses directly related to drug abuse and offenses related to a lifestyle that predisposes the drug abuser to engage in illegal activity.
Although biological,
References: McDonnell (2011). Exploring harm reduction for IDU`s in Ireland. [online], Available at: http://www.addictionireland.net/idu_harm_reduction.html. [Accessed 28 December 2013] National Institute on Drug Abuse Non Prescription Needle Use Initiative. (2007). Working with people who use drugs: A harm reduction approach. Edmonton, AB: NPNU Initiatives Peltzer, K., Ramlagan, S., & Phaswana-Mafuya, N The Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission, 2012. Exploring the Relationship between Drugs and Crime: A Comparative Analysis of Survey Data from Prisoners. United States: OAS Cataloging. Titus, J.C., Godley, S.H., & White, M.K UNODC (2004). HIV Prevention among young injecting drug users. New York: United Nations World Health Organization (2006)