Harm reduction
Harm reduction largely describes the policies, programmes and practices whose aim is to minimise the negative health, along with the social and legal impacts associated with use of drugs, drug policies and drug laws. Harm reduction is grounded upon the foundation of justice and human rights. It’s primary focus is on positive change and on working with people without judgement, discrimination, coercion, or requiring that they do not use drugs as a precondition of support.
Harm reduction comprises of a range of health and social services and practices that are professionally applied to illicit and licit drugs. Harm reduction include, but are not limited to, drug consumption rooms, non-abstinence-based housing, needle and syringe programmes, and employment initiatives, drug checking, psychosocial support, overdose prevention and reversal, and the provision of information on safer drug use. These approaches are cost-effective, evidence-based and have quite positive impact on the health of an individual and community.