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Harm Reduction Essay

462 Words2 Pages

This program will be based on the fundamental principles of harm reduction. Harm reduction is a pragmatic approach to reducing individual and social harms associated with drug use, especially the risk of HIV infection. This approach accepts that certain interventions focused on diminishing the harmfulness of a substance, even if they increase the extent of substance use, may be able to reduce the total adverse consequences on the individual, as well as society (Meulen & Ka Hon Chu, 2015). In regards to high risk behaviour for the transmission of HIV in prison (e.g., needle-sharing), harm reduction approaches acknowledge that there are no known effective solutions for completely eliminating drug-use or drug-related problems in the community …show more content…

Access to sterile injection equipment has been demonstrated to be one of the most important strategies to prevent HIV transmission among IDU’s (Manghera, 2014). Prison needle-exchange programs, whereby inmates can obtain sterile needles free of charge in exchange for used ones, have been implemented in numerous jurisdictions worldwide including Switzerland, Germany, Spain Scotland, and Armenia (Dolan, 2014). It is imperative to implement such programs even in the presence of needle decontamination techniques, such as bleach, which are not always effective due to prisoners not following the correct disinfecting procedures (Manghera, 2014). Although there has been no needle exchange program in Canadian corrections, other countries have reported various success and an overall reduction in HIV transmission. Furthermore, needle-exchange programs in the community have also been successful in decreasing the risk of HIV. For example in Saskatchewan needle exchange programs have led to a decrease in HIV and other disease transmission by one third (Canadian Public Health Association,

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192 Words | 1 Pages

Goal: Cm met with client for weekly follow up I: CM greeted client and followed up on last week’s session. CM reintegrated goal of the Harm Reduction program was to provided a referral for housing. Intern discussed plan of action to help manage the Client’s access to VA benefits and referral for VASH. Intern validated the progress the client is making and his interest in doing well.

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250 Words | 1 Pages

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2021 Words | 9 Pages

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1682 Words | 7 Pages

Yet, access to these services may be restricted, especially for those who are imprisoned. In Lamb's book, several women discuss their difficulty obtaining access to drug abuse treatment while they were in prison. Several said the lack of resources and insufficient support contributed to their ongoing battles with addiction. Increasing access to treatment programs is one way to combat the problem of substance misuse. Many people who are jailed battle addiction, and without the right care, they are prone to relapse.

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591 Words | 3 Pages

Therefore, the goals of harm reduction include prevention and prevention of the overall level of drug use. It also seeks to reduce the negative consequences of drug abuse rather than eliminating the use of the illicit substances. Further, harm reduction aims to save lives and diminish the likelihood of drug abuse problems for an individual, their family, as well as their community. The process of harm reduction also helps in reducing high-risk situations brought about by drug abuse, such as criminal behavior, and HIV exposure due to sharing of needles and paraphernalia, as well as risk of overdose.

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1068 Words | 5 Pages

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1567 Words | 7 Pages

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744 Words | 3 Pages

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1087 Words | 5 Pages

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1077 Words | 5 Pages

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165 Words | 1 Pages

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1456 Words | 6 Pages

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751 Words | 4 Pages

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820 Words | 4 Pages

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1580 Words | 7 Pages

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