Week 2

Question 1

What are the 3 areas of harm minimisation?

Answer 1

Supply, demand and harm reduction:

Supply reduction = minimising availability. E.g. strict laws at venues, where you can use the drug/ purchase it, who can purchase it, prescriptions for pharmaceuticals, prosecuting, stopping availability. E.g. prescription use, road side testing.

Demand reduction = preventing uptake, or delaying onset of drug use. I.e. increasing tobacco taxes. Drug diversion.

Harm reduction = keeping people safe, reduce risky behaviours. Based on the idea that people will continue, so how can we help keep them as safe as possible? Needle and syringe programmes. Helping people use in safer ways.

Question 2

Define policy.

Answer 2

The intentions and actions of a government about process and outcomes. Who is involved, in what setting. As much about actions as it is outcomes.

Question 3

What are the 5 types of policy instruments (policy levers)?

Answer 3

• policy through advocacy: education/ persuading
• policy through network: relationships within and across governmental partners
• policy through government action: delivering services through public agencies
• policy through money: using and spending taxing powers
• policy through law: legislation, regulation and official authority

Question 4

What are the 4 challenges of drug policy?

Answer 4

1. Conflicting goals
2. Coordination
3. Balance
4. Politics