Pubdate: Tue, 19 Sep 2017 Source: Cape Breton Post (CN NS) Copyright: 2017 Cape Breton Post Contact: http://www.capebretonpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/777 Author: Nikki Sullivan Page: A4 WHAT HARM REDUCTION REALLY MEANS Harm reduction is one kind of treatment approach for helping people with substance abuse disorders and it can be confusing for people not familiar with it. "Sometimes people think it's abstinence versus harm reduction but that isn't true," said Laura Chapman, health promotion specialist with Mental Health and Addiction Services. "Harm reduction absolutely includes abstinence." Chapman and many other clinical therapists, counsellors and other professionals working directly with people suffering from substance abuse disorders feel harm reduction is an important tool. "Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies that reduce negative consequences that can result from drug use," Chapman explained. "These strategies meet people where they are at and they address the conditions of the substance use and the use itself." With harm reduction, the focus is on the person, not the drug, which can give people with substance abuse disorder a feeling they can get help in a way that works for them. The principals behind harm reduction include treating all clients with dignity and never judging a client if they choose to continue to use. Some things included in harm reduction strategies are safer needle distribution sites, safer consumption sites, take home Naloxone programs and having therapy or treatment created by the clinician and client together. Harm reduction doesn't condone or condemn any behaviour, including continued drug use, and aims to help people achieve their goals to make positive changes in their lives. However, it also doesn't promote drug use. It is about helping people who use drugs stay healthy and it has been proven to help reduce the number of cases of HIV, Hepatitis C and drug overdose. Chapman said she sees a lot of contention around harm reduction. She thinks if more people understood what it is, there would be less negative talk about it. This, she believes, could lead to a higher success rate when working with people suffering from substance abuse disorder. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt