WEEK 11 HARM REDUCTION

Question 1

What is Harm Reduction?

Answer 1

• A realistic, pragmatic, humane approach aimed at reducing the risks and harmful effects associated with substance use and addictive behaviours for the individual, the community and society as a whole
• Accepting the use of substances, as abstinence is not realistic or a desireable goal for people
• Focus is on reducing harm with substance use

Question 2

What are the 8 principles of harm reduction?

Answer 2

1. Acceptance
2. Focus
3. Policy Making
4. Intersectionality
5. Complex
6. Non-judgemental
7. Empower
8. Do not minimize

Question 3

Principle of Harm Reduction #1 Acceptance

Answer 3

• Accepting that for better or worse, drug use is part of our world and we should choose to minimize the harmful effects rather than ignore or condemn them

Question 4

Principle of Harm Reduction #2 Focus

Answer 4

• Focus is not on the cessation of all drug use, but interventions and policies should be focused on the quality of individual and community life well-being

Question 5

Principle of Harm Reduction #3 Policy Making

Answer 5

• Give a real voice to those who use drugs and have a hx of drug use in the creation of programs and policies

Question 6

Principle of Harm Reduction #4 Intersectionality

Answer 6

• Recognize the realities of poverty, classes, racism, social isolation, past trauma, sex-based discrimination, and other social inequalities that affect vulnerability and capacity of effectively dealing with drug-related harm

Question 7

Principle of Harm Reduction #5 Complex

Answer 7

• Understand that drug use is complex, multi-faceted
• Involves a continuum of behaviours

Question 8

Principle of Harm Reduction #6 Non-judgmental

Answer 8

• Non-judgmental, non-coercive, services and resources to help those reduce harm

Question 9

Principle of Harm Reduction #7 Empower

Answer 9

• Affirm that people who use drugs are the primary agents of reducing the harms of their drug use
• Empower people who use drugs to support each other

Question 10

Principle of Harm Reduction #8 Do not minimize

Answer 10

• Do not attempt to minimize or ignore real and tragic harm and danger with ilicit drug use

Question 11

What does harm reduction look like?

Answer 11

• Needle exchange programs, safer drug use supplies
• Overdose prevention, recognition, and response programs
• Street outreach
• Education
• Meaningful involvement of people with lived and living expertise
• Replacement Therapies (methadone, suboxone, kadian)
• Consumption and treatment services (supervised consumption sites, safe injection sites, overdose prevention sites)
• Safer supply programs
• Decriminilization of illicit substances

Question 12

Why does harm reduction work? (3)

Answer 12

1. It values people, they are empowered to determine and voice their own hierarchy of needs. This way the next steps are clear to both provider and participants
2. Harm reduction is rooted in evidence based practices that have shown a decrease in health and social harms
3. It keeps individuals engaged in care at any stage in their drug use

Question 13

What does harm reduction look like in health care?

Answer 13

• Prioritizing access to peer supports
• Perscribing adequate and realistic doses of preferred medications without judgement
• Providing access to safe consumption rooms
• Distributing harm reduction supplies
• Non-punitive approach to drug uses on hospital grounds
• Using respectful non-stigmatizing language with patients and in their charts