29-09-09 What is Harm Reduction? A position statement from the International Harm Reduction Association

The International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) have released a detailed position statement defining the term ‘harm reduction’. The statement outlines a set of underlying principles which best describe this approach. 

Harm reduction refers to policies, programmes and practices that aim to reduce the harms associated with the use of psychoactive drugs in people unable or unwilling to stop. The defining features are the focus on the prevention of harm, rather than on the prevention of drug use itself, and the focus on people who continue to use drugs. 

The position paper can be found at http://www.ihra.net/Assets/2316/1/IHRA_HRStatement.pdf