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    • Ask ANCHR >
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      • Alberta Guidelines
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Harm Reduction 101

What is Harm Reduction?
"Harm Reduction is a comprehensive, just and science-based approach to substance use. It represents policies, strategies and services which aim to assist people who use legal and illegal psychoactive drugs to live safer and healthier lives. All substances have both positive and negative effects and substance use may affect one’s health and legal vulnerability.
But
Harm Reduction recognizes that people use drugs for many reasons. Reduction of substance use and/or abstinence is not required in order to receive respect, compassion or services.
​
It is clear that most people who use substances do not experience problems, but in some circumstances, substance use can become dependent and/or chaotic. Harm Reduction enhances the ability of people who use substances to have increased control over their lives and their health, and allows them to take protective and proactive measures".            
                                                                                                                                                        Streetworks , 2015


Why do we need Harm Reduction?
  • It is a comprehensive approach to care in working with people who use substances at any stage in their use
  • It makes it easier for people who use substances to seek help and support.
  • It saves and improves lives by allowing substance users to remain integrated in society
  • It involves people in their own health by keeping them connected to the health care system
  • It empowers people to improve the quality of their lives.
​
What are some examples of harm reduction?

Although harm reduction is a client-centered, evidence-based, ethical approach to care, many people perceive it as controversial or counter-intuitive. For example, some may view it as:
  • Enabling or condoning substance use
  • Giving up on people
  • An anything goes approach to care
It is important to remember that harm reduction, though often associated with illegal substance use, can be seen in many aspects of life. Let’s look at some examples:

1. It’s Hannah’s birthday. She is 21 and is planning on going to a club with some friends where the drinks are cheap and the music is loud. Before they head out, they get ready at Hannah’s where they chat and connect over several bottles of wine. When they are ready to leave Hannah orders an Uber to pick them up and take them to the club. After a night of drinking, dancing and partying they hail a taxi to take them home.


2. Justin loves riding his bike to work. It helps him to reduce stress and integrate physical activity into his day. Last week he was pinched out of the lane by a BMW whose driver shouted at him to “get off the f#*king road!” He nearly crashed into a parked car. That night Justin went to a bike shop and purchased a safe and stylish helmet so that he could continue to ride while protecting his brain.

3. The class of 2017 has graduated and is ready to celebrate! Although most of the high school students are under the legal drinking age, organizers recognize that the graduates will commemorate the occasion by consuming alcohol. The party will take place in a safe location where there are supports and supervision. Students will be bused there and back to avoid impaired driving. 


How does harm reduction impact the community?
HARM REDUCTION NOT ONLY BENEFITS THE INDIVIDUAL BUT ALSO THE LARGER COMMUNITY. it REDUCES:
  • PUBLIC AND OPEN SUBSTANCE USE
  • IMPROPERLY DISCARDED DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
  • COSTS TO SOCIAL, HEALTH AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS
  • CREATES SAFER, HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES

Harm reduction services are open to all people who use substances without the expectation of abstinence. It aims to improve the health and safety of individuals by providing a wide range of services such as:
  • Treatment and detoxification options
  • Intoxication spaces where people can rest in a safe and warm environment
  • Addictions counseling, mental health support and motivational interviewing
  • Connection to income support and affordable housing
  • Linking people with primary healthcare
  • Engaging in outreach activities to access hard to reach populations
 
And most importantly harm reduction……
  • Fosters relationships with marginalized populations
  • Builds trust with people who have had negative experiences with health, social and justice systems
  • Reduces the stigma associated with substance-use
  • Keeps people alive to make a different choice tomorrow

Who benefits from harm reduction?
Everyone!
Alberta Nurses Coalition for Harm Reduction
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