Harm reduction Flashcards
what is harm reduction
interventions aimed at reducing the negative effects of health behaviors without necessarily extinguishing the problematic health behaviors completely or permanantly
what is harm reduction principle 1
accepts, for better or worse, that licit and illicit drug use is part of our world and chooses to work to minimize its harmful effects rather than simply signore or condemn them
what is harm reduction principle 2
understands drug use as a complex, multi-faceted phenomenon that encompasses a continuum of behaviors from severe use to total abstinence, and acknowledges that some ways of using drugs are clearly safer than others
what is harm reduction principle 3
establishes quality of individual and community life and well-being - not necessarily cessation of all drug use - as the criteria for successful interventions and policies
what is harm reduction principle 4
calls for the non-judgmental, non-coercive provision of services and resources to people who use drugs and the communities in which they live in order to assist them in reducing attendant harm
what is harm reduction principle 5
ensures that people who use drugs and those with a history of drug use routinely have a real voice in the creation of programs and policies designed to serve them
what is harm reduction principle 6
affirms people who use drugs (PWUD) themselves as the primary agents of reducing the harms of their drug use and seeks to empower PWUD to share info and support each other in strategies which meet their actual conditions of use
what is harm reduction principle 7
recognizes that the realities of poverty, class, racism, social isolation, past trauma, sex-based discrimination, and other social inequalities affect both people’s vulnerability to and capacity for effectively dealing with drug-related harm
what is harm reduction principle 8
does not attempt to minimize or ignore real and tragic harm and danger that can be associated with illicit drug use
what are the meds for opioid use disorder (OUD)
methadone
buprenorphine
naltrexone
how does meds for opioid use disorder reduce harm
safer and more regulated products to increase patient survival and decrease infection risk.
decrease illicit opioid use and criminal activity.
increased ability to gain and maintain employment.
decrease drug use triggers.
what is naloxone
it is opioid antagonist that binds to receptors and kicks off other opioids
how does naloxone reduce harm
reverses life threatening respiratory depression (overdose) from opioids.
precipitates opioid withdrawal which can be extremely uncomfortable.
will not cause harm if administered to someone who is not OD’ing.
what is syringe service programs
free, safe place to dispose used needles in exchange for sterile ones
how do syringe service programs reduce harm
decreases needle sharing to reduce infections, transmissions, and outbreaks.
increased connections to primary care and SUD tx.
decreased community presence of needles and first responder needlesticks.
