Harm Reduction for Young People: Why A Youth Network?

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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