120 likes | 125 Views
Explore the importance of a youth network in harm reduction, the history of the harm reduction movement, the goals and principles of harm reduction, and the various programs and strategies in place. Discover why harm reduction is crucial for young people and how it can help reduce the spread of infections, risky drug use, and overdose deaths, while providing education and increasing access to services and treatment.
E N D
Harm Reduction for Young People:Why A Youth Network? Diane Riley, PhD Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy, Youth Network for Harm Reduction & University of Toronto rileydm@aol.com www.cfdp.ca www.ihra.net www.idpc.org 1st Youth Network for Harm Reduction International Meeting Warsaw May 2007
History of the Harm Reduction Movement • 1920s: prescribing of drugs in UK supported • 1960s: methadone treatment established • 1970s: harm reduction for alcohol • 1980s: syringe exchanges begun in Netherlands, UK, Australia, Canada etc • 1980s: harm reduction education spreads • 1990: first International conference, Liverpool • 1996: IHRA launched • 1996-present: regional networks formed in Asia, Latin America, CEE, Middle East & North Africa (Africa dormant) Harm Reduction
Why a Youth Network? • What IHRA and the regional networks do • Limits of adult approach with youth • Value of peer to peer approaches • Role of mentors/advisors • Harm reduction for street kids • Training and education Harm Reduction
Harm Reduction: Aims • Reduce the spread of infections such as HIV & Hep C • Reduce risky drug use • Prevent drug overdose deaths • Provide honest drug education • Increase users' contact with services and treatment Harm Reduction
Harm Reduction - Definition • Harm reduction aims to reduce the adverse health, social, and economic consequences of drug use while the person is still using drugs. Harm Reduction
Drug-related Harms • The term harm reduction implies that drugs can cause real harms. • Harms are psychological, physical, social, legal, economic • Harms are to individual, family, community, society • Harms are not an inevitable consequence of drug use. • They can be prevented or reduced through a range of strategies Harm Reduction
Programs Harm reduction programs include: • Moderate drinking • Needle and Syringe exchange • Education • Peer outreach • Methadone maintenance • Safer use sites • Crack cocaine kits • Drug policy reform Harm Reduction
Basic Concepts • Focuses on reducing harms to individual, family & community & not simply on reducing use • Accepts that drug use is human and brings with it both harms & benefits • Sees substance use as a public health & human rights issue, not a criminal one. • Does not promote drug use & does not judge drug use as good or bad. • Morally neutral • Non-Coercive Harm Reduction
Basic Concepts • Acknowledges that stopping drug use may not be realistic or desirable for everyone • Provides practical strategies for reducing risks & harms • No person should be denied access to services because of their drug use. Harm Reduction
Basic Concepts • Balances costs and benefits • Provides accurate information • Attempts to promote & facilitate access to care for drug misuse & mental health problems • Engages drug users in a continuum of care from which they would otherwise be excluded Harm Reduction
Harm Reduction Principles • Pragmatism • Focus on Harms • Hierarchy of goals • Reward not punishment • Humanistic & Human Rights Based • Non-judgmental • Reduce Stigma • Autonomy • Flexibility • Evidence based Harm Reduction
Why Harm Reduction? • We will never have a drug-free society • Abstinence has its limitations for many • Enforcement has its limitations • Primary prevention has its limitations • People will continue to use drugs and get sick & die. • We can reduce illness, suffering, deaths and other harms that people experience. Harm Reduction