Harm reduction journal
-
Harm reduction journal · Feb 2017
Harm reduction through housing first: an assessment of the Emergency Warming Centre in Inuvik, Canada.
This research examines the effectiveness of an Emergency Warming Centre (EWC) in Inuvik, Canada, at reducing rates of morbidity and mortality for homeless persons with concurrent disorders (mental health problems and addictions). Inuvik is a small town of approximately 3500 residents, with over 65% being Aboriginal. The town is situated on the Beaufort Delta in the Western Canadian Arctic and is subject to oil and gas extraction-based boom and bust economic cycles. The centre provided food and accommodation for those under the influence of alcohol or drugs who had no other place to stay. ⋯ Compared with research on wet shelters in New Zealand, Great Britain and the US, this research reveals that harm reduction-based models for homeless persons with concurrent disorders require significant investments in infrastructure, which are not readily available. Yet, the lessons learned from these jurisdictions might be extrapolated to communities like Inuvik to develop alternative housing strategies.
-
Harm reduction journal · Jan 2017
Irish general practitioner attitudes toward decriminalisation and medical use of cannabis: results from a national survey.
Governmental debate in Ireland on the de facto decriminalisation of cannabis and legalisation for medical use is ongoing. A cannabis-based medicinal product (Sativex®) has recently been granted market authorisation in Ireland. This unique study aimed to investigate Irish general practitioner (GP) attitudes toward decriminalisation of cannabis and assess levels of support for use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes (CTP). ⋯ The majority of Irish GPs do not support the present Irish governmental drug policy of decriminalisation of cannabis but do support the legalisation of cannabis for therapeutic purposes. Male GPs and those with higher levels of addiction training are more likely to support a more liberal drug policy approach to cannabis for personal use. A clear majority of GPs expressed significant concerns regarding both the mental and physical health risks of cannabis use. Ongoing research into the health and other effects of drug policy changes on cannabis use is required.
-
Harm reduction journal · Jul 2016
Multicenter StudyEffects of combination approach on harm reduction programs: the Taiwan experience.
In 2003, a major epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus emerged among injection drug users in Taiwan. In response to the twin epidemics of HIV and intravenous drug addiction, the government implemented comprehensive harm reduction programs beginning in 2005. Collected data from relevant agencies were used to explore the impact of the harm reduction programs on HIV and illicit drug use. ⋯ The HIV epidemic among injection drug users incorporates the dual problems of drug addiction and needle-sharing behaviors, so the use of a single intervention will not resolve all of the problems. Facing a severe HIV epidemic among injection drug users, quickly scaling up and promoting comprehensive harm reduction programs is a good strategy that can be used to simultaneously reverse the HIV epidemic and to resolve the illicit drug use problems. More research is needed to find out the reasons behind why there were cases that declined opioid substitution therapy, so that efforts can be undertaken to avoid the epidemic rebounding.
-
Harm reduction journal · Apr 2015
Acquiring hepatitis C in prison: the social organisation of injecting risk.
The potential for transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in prison settings is well established and directly associated with sharing of injecting and tattooing equipment, as well as physical violence. This study is one of the first to examine the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of HCV in the prison setting via inmates' own accounts. ⋯ Acquiring hepatitis C was not a neutral experience of participants but generated significant emotional reactions for some. Decisions to share injecting equipment were influenced by participants' assumptions of the HCV status of their injecting partners. The social organisation of injecting, in trusted networks, is a challenge for HCV prevention programs and requires additional research.
-
Harm reduction journal · Mar 2015
Assessment of compliance with U.S. Public Health Service clinical practice guideline for tobacco by primary care physicians.
The US Public Health Service clinical practice guideline treating tobacco use and dependence: 2008 update established an expanded standard of care, calling on physicians to consistently identify their patients who use tobacco and treat them using counseling and medication. ⋯ This study revealed that most primary care physicians reported that they Ask their patients about tobacco use, Advise them to quit, and Assist them in making a quit attempt, but only half reported that they Arrange a follow-up visit. Tobacco use screening and intervention are among the most effective clinical preventive services; thus, efforts to educate, encourage, and support primary care physicians to provide evidence-based treatments to their patients should be continued.