Methadone and Suboxone maintenance treatment
Harm reduction is based on the recognition that many people throughout the world continue to use psychoactive drugs such as cocaine, alcohol, morphine, heroin, and more, despite even the strongest efforts to prevent the initiation or continued use of drugs. Drug users are not defined by their addiction and they deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.
Harm reduction strategies are compassionate towards patients but also beneficial to society; they decrease the prevalence of serious infectious illnesses like HIV and Hep C. Preventing harm is also relatively cheap for society compared to treating acute conditions brought on by opioid abuse. Studies show that harm reduction decreases crime rates in communities as well.
Harm reduction initiatives are incremental, drug users are much more likely to take multiple tiny steps rather than one or two huge steps. The idea here is that small gains for many people have more benefit for a community than heroic gains achieved for a select few.
More recently, in Ontario, Canada, for harm reduction, we are starting to embrace Supervised Consumption Services. These are spots that are exempt from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. In these spaces, people can consume illicit drugs whether by injection or inhalation in a safe, supportive, and hygienic environment under the supervision of staff who can intervene in the event of an overdose or other adverse event.
Harm reduction in Canada is still an extremely controversial topic that needs improvement. What's your opinion on harm reduction strategies? Do you have opinions on how this program can be improved?
Comments