Refers to a set of interventions designed to diminish the individual and societal harms associated with drug use, including the risk of HIV infection, without requiring the cessation of drug use. In practice, harm reduction programs include syringe exchange, drug substitution or replacement therapy using substances such as methadone, health and drug education, HIV and sexually transmitted disease screening, psychological counseling, and medical care.
Actions reducing the risks associated with drug use; examples include needle exchange programmes to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and other health complications arising from injecting drugs. (See Drugs, FAQ - Drugs coordination)
This approach seeks to find a pragmatic position based on acknowledging that many in society will continue to use drugs irrespective of the legal frameworks or the moral imperatives to not use. Harm reduction advocates promote such options as clean needles and syringe programs, the provision of prescription heroin as a treatment option and supervised injecting facilities (Evans, 2001). Implementation The process of adopting an innovation within an organisation's working agenda (Ask et al, 1998).
An intervention approach that promotes and affirms any behavior change that will improve health, improved well-being, or reduce the chance of hurting oneself or another person. Harm reduction is the concept behind needle exchange and many other interventions that serve persons at risk.
Synonyms: harm limitation, risk minimization, risk reduction Harm reduction is a social policy that gives priority to diminishing the negative effects caused by drug use. It has its roots in a scientific public health protection model based on a humanitarian culture, does not give priority to interventions aimed at decreasing the drug use (abstinence model), but envisages various intermediate objectives as an alternative to the final aim of complete abstinence. These objectives include limiting the harm produced even before the user decides or attempts to stop using drugs (see main objectives of harm reduction).
Containing the damage and risks, diminishing deaths due to overdose, reducing HIV transmission, improving the health conditions of drug addicts, limiting the criminalization processes, helping drug addicts to deal with their condition.
refers to reducing the health impact of unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, alcohol use, nonprescribed drug use, or nonadherence to medications or healthcare visits
means trying to reduce the harm that people do to themselves, or other people, from their drug use. Harm reduction focuses on 'safer' drug use and has also been developed as a way of educating young people about drug use. The term first became a widely used term in the UK in the 1980s in response to the increasing number of cases of HIV among drug injectors and the development of syringe exchange schemes.
A prevention activity that aims to provide services to HIV-infected persons and their sex and needle-sharing partners so they can reduce their risk for infection or, if already infected, prevent transmission of HIV to others. It also seeks to help partners gain earlier access to individualized counseling, HIV testing, medical evaluation, treatment, and other prevention and support services.
a practical philosophy based on education and pharmacology dedicated to the prevention and minimization of the physical, psychological and spiritual dangers associated with drug use.
Harm reduction is a philosophy of public health, intended to be a progressive alternative to the prohibition of certain lifestyle choices. The central idea of harm reduction is the recognition that some people always have and always will engage in behaviours which carry risks, such as casual sex, prostitution, and drug use.