Harm reduction principles were developed to improve the health of people who use drugs. These principles recognize the many reasons why people use drugs and that some people cannot or may not wish to discontinue using. In this context, harm reduction aims to limit possible negative impacts of drug use, including the spread of infectious diseases, such as hepatitis C. Research has shown it to be an effective intervention in this regard and useful in preventing the spread of hepatitis C and other infections like HIV.
Harm reduction is…
“…policies, programmes and projects which aim to reduce the health, social and economic harms associated with the use of psychoactive substances. It is an evidence-based and cost-effective approach – bringing benefits to the individual, community and society.” (www.ihra.net/whatisharmreduction)
“…a set of practical strategies that reduce the negative consequences of drug use.” (www.harmreduction.org)
“… strategies and interventions based on public health and human rights aimed at the reduction of negative consequences of drug use, including transmissions of infection, mortality and others. This includes HIV, hepatitis B and C, STIs, overdoses and other negative consequences of drug use." (www.harm-reduction.org)
The key principles of harm reduction are:
Non-Judgment
The framework of harm reduction accepts that drug use is part of our world and that drug use will occur even when it has harmful effects. Harm reduction chooses to work to minimize these harmful effects rather than simply ignore or condemn them. Harm reduction provides services in a manner that is not coercive or stigmatizing and uses neutral language to describe behaviours and choices.
Practical Interventions
Harm reduction interventions identify small, matter-of-fact steps that people can take to reduce harm from drug use, listed from safest to least safe. These steps are on different continuums. For example, injection can come with different risks depending if a person shares or reuses drug-use equipment:
Client-Centred Approach
Harm reduction meets people “where they’re at” in terms of ability and willingness to alter behaviours and recognizes changing behaviour as a cooperative process that respects the dignity of each person. Harm reduction values the contribution and involvement of users to programs and policies and recognizes that many drug users have been practicing harm reduction for many years.
Below are some examples of harm reduction programs and the risks they reduce:
- Needle exchange programs reduce the spread of blood-borne diseases.
- Safer injection sites and safer consumption facilities reduce overdoses and infections. Currently the only designated site in Canada is in Vancouver.
- Methadone maintenance programs reduce the impacts of opiate addiction.
- Education on safer injection and vein care reduces infections and disease.
- Testing or analyzing pills for purity can provide information to help reduce drug interactions and overdoses.
- Early warning systems and drug warnings at needle exchange programs provide users with information on changes in how potent drugs are and what they are cut with in order to reduce the chances of overdose, poisoning and infection.
Harm reduction has also been applied to other behaviours including:
- condom distribution to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections
- indoor smoking ban to reduce the impact of second-hand smoke
- body piercing kits to reduce the spread of blood-borne diseases and infections
- designated driving and public transit to reduce alcohol-related car accidents
- speed limits and seatbelts to reduce deaths from car accidents
- adding filters to cigarettes to reduce the number of toxins that enter the lungs
Back to top
