Harm reduction is a pragmatic and humanitarian approach to decreasing the personal and social harms associated with drug use, especially when linked to the risk of HIV infection. Its aim is to reduce the problems associated with drug use through methodologies that safeguard the dignity and human rights of people who use drugs.
This approach is based on the practical recognition that, despite years of trying, no effective interventions are known to eliminate drug use or drug-related problems in any community, city, or country. In most cultures, adopting a harm reduction approach requires a shift in thinking—toward a more open mindset—that is far removed from the deeply ingrained idealistic goal of the total elimination of drug use.
Harm reduction does not deny the value of helping people become drug-free, or the desirability of abstinence as an ultimate goal. It simply recognizes that for many drug users these are distant objectives, and services should focus on the short term by adopting an action plan to reduce harm and risks to the individual and, therefore, to society, preventing it from becoming a public health problem.
Recognizing the reality of drug use, harm reduction measures its success by positive changes in the health and quality of life of the individual and not by the relationship to levels of drug use.
Recognizes the intrinsic value and dignity of all human beings.
It does not judge the use of legal and illegal drugs as good or bad, but rather focuses on the relationship between people and drugs, emphasizing harm reduction in the individual by promoting safer drug use.
Research shows that users change their behavior in response to information about safer use, and that this change is greater when they are taught skills and abilities that provide skills for safer drug use.
It does not judge the use of legal and illegal drugs as good or bad, but rather focuses on the relationship between people and drugs, emphasizing harm reduction in the individual by promoting safer drug use.
It does not judge the use of legal and illegal drugs as good or bad, but rather focuses on the relationship between people and drugs, emphasizing harm reduction in the individual by promoting safer drug use.
For people’s ability (and right) to set their own goals and make their own decisions (customer-centered).
People use drugs within a social, economic, political, physical, and psychological context.
The criminalization of drug use (policies and laws) and prejudices towards illicit drug users (values and attitudes) create danger.
Proactive values and enables individuals to take a leadership role by developing a program that benefits users and communities.