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Abstract |
This document, from Forward Thinking on Drugs, details the theory and practice of harm reduction and evaluates its effectiveness. The first section of the document outlines what harm reduction is, including its main principles, and addresses key criticisms. The second section of the document outlines key harm reduction interventions, including: needle and syringe programmes; methadone and other replacement therapies; depenalisation; information, education and communication; safer injecting and other drug consumption rooms; and motivational interviewing. The paper outlines three key findings from the evidence. Firstly, harm reduction works, especially methadone and other replacement therapies, and needle and syringe programmes. The author argues that these should be considered for adoption in regions where they are currently unavailable. Secondly, harm reduction programmes show promise and require cautious, monitored, and locally adapted expansion. Finally, the author finds that harm reduction interventions are widely used yet under-researched, especially those which include information, education and communication programmes, and motivational interviewing approaches to conventional harm reduction targets such as HIV prevention. The author concludes that the best response is to develop better evidence in order to discard approaches that do not work and develop and disseminate those that do. |
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