Anti Harm Reduction Policy

Introduction

Harm reduction is a drug policy designed to reduce the consequences associated with drug and alcohol use. It is not intended to reduce or stop the use of drugs. Some areas that harm reduction can improve includes health, drug related crime and the amount of drugs or alcohol used. Harm reduction has faced some opposition and critics feel that it sends the community a message that substance use is okay and people feel that it may not reduce the harms associated with substance abuse as it is intended. Supporters of harm reduction policy state that it targets the risks and harms associated with substance abuse and it “meets users where they are at” in terms of reducing use, and decreasing the problematic effects of addictive behavior.

According to McKeganey (2012) harm reduction policy is driven by two main concepts: public health and human rights. He states, “Public health approaches have emphasized the need for identifying specific harms, the need for interventions to be evidence-based and targeted at the need to adopt realistic goals rather than pursue unattainable aspirational goals such as a drug-free society.” He also states, “Harm reduction is based on human rights especially the rights of drug users to life and security, and to health protection against harms from the community and

Examples of harm reduction strategies include: needle exchange, motivational interviewing to purchase, call me to behavioral relax prevention, behavioral self control training.
Harm Reduction Works Collaboratively With Other Treatment Models

There are number of different treatment options available for drug and alcohol use. These options include inpatient, outpatient, rehabilitation centers, dual diagnosis programs and 12-step programs. Harm reduction approaches can work complimentary to many of these treatment options however, clinicians and therapists are not well educated on it’s unconventional approach to substance abuse treatment.
Abstinence does not have to be the only approach to substance abuse treatment. Harm reduction meets the user where they are in terms of there recovery. Harm reduction focuses on the reduction of negative consequences of substance use and allows the substance user to except moderate and safer use, thereby, reducing the harmful effects of the disorder (Bayles,). This acceptance and agreement to meet the user where they are helps to prevent frustration and feelings of