Harm Reduction Theory
By Vivian Cheng
Health: Period 4
Mrs. Darpino
December 2011
By Vivian Cheng
Health: Period 4
Mrs. Darpino
December 2011
Harm Reduction Theory
Harm Reduction Theory
Vivian Cheng Health Period 4
December, 2011 “Harm Reduction Theory”
The war against drugs is an unwinnable war. Today, this seems to be a growing argument in the modern world. In a study performed in 2009, it was found that approximately 8.7% of Americans, twelve years of age and older, had used some kind of illegal drug within the month in which the research was conducted (CDC, “Illegal Drug Use”). That’s nearly one in ten Americans aged twelve or above. With the growing number of people supporting the argument that drug abuse is unstoppable, new ideas and theories have emerged. One example of this is the harm reduction theory. Harm reduction theory, as it relates to drug policies, is the idea that, instead of prohibiting drug use, prevention and treatment is the key to end the war against drugs (CDC, “Summary of the Top Ten Facts on Legalization” ).
The difference between the punitive drug policies we have today and the harm reduction policy is the harm reduction policy “shifts drug policies from the criminalized and punitive end to the more decriminalized and openly regulated end of the drug policy continuum.” ( Levine 2002 ). This means that rather than punishing drug users for substance abuse, society should regulate and ensure safer use for users. The ideas for syringe exchange programs emerged and gained popularity. Syringe exchange programs emerged as a way to reduce the spread of STD’s, such as HIV. In a study in 2004, it was found that approximately 20% of all HIV and Hepatitis infections were caused by injection
Health: Period 4
Mrs. Darpino
December 2011
By Vivian Cheng
Health: Period 4
Mrs. Darpino
December 2011
Harm Reduction Theory
Harm Reduction Theory
Vivian Cheng Health Period 4
December, 2011 “Harm Reduction Theory”
The war against drugs is an unwinnable war. Today, this seems to be a growing argument in the modern world. In a study performed in 2009, it was found that approximately 8.7% of Americans, twelve years of age and older, had used some kind of illegal drug within the month in which the research was conducted (CDC, “Illegal Drug Use”). That’s nearly one in ten Americans aged twelve or above. With the growing number of people supporting the argument that drug abuse is unstoppable, new ideas and theories have emerged. One example of this is the harm reduction theory. Harm reduction theory, as it relates to drug policies, is the idea that, instead of prohibiting drug use, prevention and treatment is the key to end the war against drugs (CDC, “Summary of the Top Ten Facts on Legalization” ).
The difference between the punitive drug policies we have today and the harm reduction policy is the harm reduction policy “shifts drug policies from the criminalized and punitive end to the more decriminalized and openly regulated end of the drug policy continuum.” ( Levine 2002 ). This means that rather than punishing drug users for substance abuse, society should regulate and ensure safer use for users. The ideas for syringe exchange programs emerged and gained popularity. Syringe exchange programs emerged as a way to reduce the spread of STD’s, such as HIV. In a study in 2004, it was found that approximately 20% of all HIV and Hepatitis infections were caused by injection
Cited: “Summary of the Top Ten Facts on Legalization.” United States Drug Enforcement Administration. December 2, 2011. <http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/demand/speakout/> Levine, H. G. (2002). “The secret of Worldwide Drug prohibition.” The varieties and uses of drug prohibition. The Independent Review VII, 2, 165–180. "Syringe Exchange Programs." CDC: Center for Disease Control. USA.gov, 12/2005. Web. 5 Dec 2011. <http://www.cdc.gov/idu/facts/aed_idu_syr.htm>. "Buprenorphine: Treatment for Opiate Addiction Right in the Doctor 's Office - Topics in Brief - NIDA." National Institute on Drug Abuse. National Institutes of Health, Aug. 2006. Web. 21 Dec. 2011. <http://drugabuse.gov/tib/bupren.html>. "Drugs - Amsterdam - Drug Laws Amsterdam- Latest News Amsterdam." Amsterdam Escape Apartments | Amsterdam Accommodation with Friendly Hoster | Apartments in Amsterdam from Real People. WorldEscape LLC, 18 July 2011. Web. 21 Dec. 2011. <http://www.amsterdamescape.com/Drugs.html>. "About DanceSafe | DanceSafe.Org." DanceSafe.Org: Drug Information and Harm Reduction Resources | DanceSafe.Org. Web. 21 Dec. 2011. <http://dancesafe.org/about-dancesafe>. "About RaveSafe and Harm Reduction." RaveSafe! Just Say Know to Drugs. The MilkyWay Internet Cafe. Web. 21 Dec. 2011. <http://www.ravesafe.org.za/about.htm>.