Harm Reduction

Drug Watch International
Position Statement

"HARM REDUCTION"

Prevention and the elimination of harm, not "Harm Reduction," has the best potential for effectively addressing the drug problem. "Harm Reduction" is a theory promoted by pro-drug advocates which holds that society must accept levels of use of psychoactive or addictive drugs by adults and youth and teach the "responsible use" of these drugs to reduce the harm. Drug Watch International opposes this theory of "harm reduction" and believes that no level of use of marijuana, cocaine, and other harmful and illicit substances is acceptable.

Background:

The term "Harm Reduction" was coined in Great Britain by a group of individuals attempting to make the use of illicit drugs acceptable to society. The basic premise is that the personal use of illicit drugs should be legal, and can be made manageable and less harmful to the user. The goal of "Harm Reduction," according to proponents, is to decrease the negative consequences of drug use, rather than to decrease the prevalence of drug use. Abstinence, they say, may neither be a realistic nor a desired goal. Some have utilized this theory as a method attempting to reduce the spread of hepatitis among IV drug users. The onset of HIV infection has given major impetus to this flawed concept. The "Harm Reduction" concept has been incorporated into some treatment programs, which allow for continued drug use rather than working towards no drug use. It has also made inroads into health programs and school curricula in many countries.

Rationale:

"Harm Reduction" interpretations range from the legalization of some drugs, to decriminalization, to the legalization of all drugs. The fallacy of "Harm Reduction" is that dangerous and addictive drugs can safely be used if properly managed by the user or regulated by government.

"Harm Reduction" has no place in drug prevention. "Harm Reduction" includes educational strategies used to teach "responsible use" of drugs and convey that drug use is tacitly if not openly acceptable, regardless of the harmful effects of drugs.

The "responsible use" or "Harm Reduction" approach to drug use was attempted in the U.S. in the 1970's. The result was record levels of drug use by young people, many of whom became the middle-aged addicts of today.

"Harm Reduction" proponents falsely claim that education and prevention have failed. Prevention (no first drug use) programs, policies, and strategies brought about a positive change in public attitudes about illicit drugs and a significant decline in drug use, especially by youth. A social context in which drug use is not accepted is essential in decreasing drug use.

"Harm Reduction" ignores the proven physiological effects of drug use. "Harm Reduction" is counterproductive to individuals with addictive behavior. The most successful treatment programs are abstinence-based.

"Harm Reduction" policies in Europe resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of drug users in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden and other countries. As a result, a number of European countries returned to a restrictive drug policy, when it became clear that lenient drug laws had a negative effect on society.

"Harm Reduction" proponents consider that legalizing drugs would be the ultimate reduction of harm for the drug user. For them, the right to the personal use of psychoactive and addictive drugs supersedes what is beneficial and healthy for the rest of society.

References: Harm Reduction

"ABC's Drug Show Pushes 'Harm Reduction' Over Law Enforcement," Drug Policy Report, Arlington, VA, Volume 2, No. 4, April 1995.

Akerman, Piers, "Hooked on Harm Reduction," The Sydney Telegraph Mirror, Sydney Australia, November 11, 1995.

Duncan, David F., Dr. P.H., C. A.S. et al, "Harm Reduction: An Emerging New Paradigm for Drug Education," J. Drug Education, Vol. 24 (4) 281-290, 1994.

Dupont, Robert L. MD, and Eric A Voth, MD, "Drug Legalization, Harm Reduction, and Drug Policy, Annals of Internal Medicine, Vol. 123; No. 6. 15 September 1995.

Drug Sense: A harm reduction resource for senior secondary students, Macarthur Drug and Alcohol Youth Project in conjunction with the NSW Department of School Education, New South Wales.

EURAD Examines Harm Reduction," EURAD News, No. 5, Spring 1992 Europe Against Drugs, Lomma, Sweden.

Fay, John, "Harm Reduction: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing," Security Concepts, Salamanca, NY, August 1994.

Hastings, Ian, Detective Inspector New Zealand Police, "Harm Reduction Education: The Deadly Lie," Presented to PRIDE World Drug Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio, April 26, 1993.

Kaplin, Susan, "The Effects of Harm Reduction vs Harm Prevention," Life Education Inc., London, England, May 1994.

Mann, Peggy, "We're Teaching Our Kids To Use Drugs," Reader's Digest November 1987.

Markwood, Alan, "Harm Redoubling," In Touch Newsletter, Chestnut Health Care Systems, Bloomington, IL. May 1995.

Morgan, John P., Diane Riley and Gregory B. Chesher, "Cannabis: Legal Reform, Medicinal Use and Harm Reduction," in Nick Heather, Alex Wodak, Ethan Nadelmann, Pat O'Hare (eds.) Psychoactive Drugs and Harm Reduction: From Faith To Science, Whurr Publishers Limited, London, England in Press.1993.

Nadelmann, Ethan et al, "The Harm Reduction Approach to Drug Control: International Progress," Lindesmith Center, New York NY. August 1994.

Noffs, David, "Harm Reduction: The Deadly Lie," IDEA Newsletter, Illinois Drug Education Alliance, Winter 1993

Perkins, Louise, " 'Harm Reduction': The Problem and the Research," Plenary Presentation to the United Nations International Drug Control Programme- Involving Communities in the Global Drug Problem: Developing An International NGO Strategy May 18, 1994.

Perkins, Louise, "Harm Reduction: What You Should Know", Presented to PRIDE Canada Youth Rally, Lambton Families in Action for Drug Education, Inc., Sarnia , Ontario, August 27, 1993.

Peterson, Robert E., "Legalization: the Myth Exposed,": in Melvyn B. Krauss and Edward P. Lazear (eds.), Searching for Alternatives, Drug Control Policy in the United States, Hoover Institution Press, Stanford, CA 1991.

Riley, Diane, PhD, "Aids, Drug Use, and Public Health: A Harm Reduction Approach," Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, Toronto Ontario, May 1991.

Roques, Wayne, DEA-Retired, "Harm Reduction: A Perspective," IDEA Newsletter, Illinois Drug Education Alliance, May 1995.

Stoker, Peter, "Harm Reduction: A Speculative Venture," Positive Prevention Plus, Berkshire, England, 1993.

"Stop the Drug War!," Press Release, April 15, 1994, ACT UP/The Harm Reduction Working Group, New York, NY.

"Swiss Drug Policy: The Present Situation," Dr. Annemarie Buchholz-Kaiser, Dr. Franziska Haller, (VPM)Verein Zur Forderung Der Psychologischen Menschenkenntnis et al, Drogenfreigabe- Kapitulation oder Ausweg (Drug Legalization - Surrender or Solution), 1989.

The First International on Harm Reduction: The Theory and Practice of Safer Drug Use. The University of Liverpool, Merseyside, England April 9th-12th 1990.

Weinberg, Bill, "Ethan Nadelmann: Challenging the Prohibition Regime," High Times, October 1995.

(References updated 1/96)

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