Would you like to help with my school project?

[Doggygirl]

Hi everyone! Many of you already know I am going to school in hopes of becoming a Certified Addictions Counselor. I'm loving my classes and I'm very excited to shift professions into the world of "helping people."

In one of my classes (Substance Use, Abuse and Dependence) we are having class debates. My team will be arguing the "pro" side of the topic "Harm Reduction" as it relates to substance dependence.

Harm Reduction can occur at the individual or societal level. Harm Reduction is not always a view held very dear in the US. The US culture typically views abstinence from a substance as the only acceptable public solution. Harm Reduction programs in the US are often frowned upon or the subject of great debate.

Examples of Harm Reduction programs:

* Needle exchanges / free needles for IV drug users. (reducing harm to the individual and society by reducing HIV risk)

* Taxi cab programs where people too drunk to drive are given a free ride home

* Methodone clinics

I love that we have an international community here. Is there a "harm reduction" proposal or strategy in your town that is/was controversial? I would love to hear about it! Turnagain provided a link to a newspaper article about a homeless shelter being opened that will allow alcoholics to drink on the premises. That is a great example of the kinds of things I'm looking for. Lav gave me a link to a Facebook page advocating Harm Reduction.

If you come across anything interesting, I would love to get links in this thread! You all will get credit on our team! If there is interest, I can let everyone know what material we end up using, what "pro" positions we take, and also what opposing views are presented by the other team.

Thanks for you help! I love a good team project.

DG

[caper564]

Would you like to help with my school project?

here are some links to the canadian harm reduction sites.

Welcome - The Canadian Harm Reduction Network

Page 8 - Reducing The Harm Associated With Injection Drug Use In Canada

hope that helps.
caper

[choppersmom]

Would you like to help with my school project?

Hi DG,

I think it's great that you've gone back to school!! Good for you. After reading many of your posts and seeing all the support you give here at MWO, I truly believe being a Certified Addictions Counselor will suit you well. I found a couple of links for you. I hope they can provide some help for you and your team. Here are the links:

Home | Harm Reduction International (this is the link to the International Harm Reduction Association)

Harm reduction - Drug Law Reform in Latin America (this is a link to harm reduction in Latin America)

Best of luck to you! I, too, am in school so I know how all this research goes!

[JackieClaire]

Would you like to help with my school project?

You're never going to believe this but I've just starting working for an alcohol/drug service which offers help and advice to those drug/alcohol problems promoting harm reduction while clients are being counselled on a course of action to give them fuller and clean lives.

We've had 2 needle exchanges in our home town for a while and methadone treatments are dispensed at many pharmacies.

Now I'm not sure of when these facilities came into being or how much controversy was caused so I'll give my boss a quick ring on Monday for a chat.


Fascinating topic. I do know however that the needle exchange is used for reducing the risk of HIV but also for the spread of the Hepatitus C, which seems to be more prevalent in our area.

I'll get back to you.

Edit: Sorry forgot to give you the name of the project. Drugs help, Drugs support, Drug Addiction, Drug information, Alcohol Abuse, Drug Abuse, Help with Drugs and info (binge drinking, speedballing, overdosing) - or similar problem? Help, advice and information is here.

[rubywillow]

Would you like to help with my school project?

Oh, Doggy! This is wonderful for you. I don't have anything on hand, but will send you anything I do, OK? Keep the faith, baby!

[InChains]

Would you like to help with my school project?

haven't got an article to hand but i can try n look it up later, a city council in the uk has set up drinking zones for homeless alcoholics so they're away from the main town, busy roads n such like, and so the police can stop arresting them when really they ahve no choice but to drink on the street

[rubywillow]

Would you like to help with my school project?

That's so sad, In. There's a fine line between helping and allowing or dismissing a problem in every culture.

[InChains]

Would you like to help with my school project?

To be honest I think its the right thing to do, banning alcohol on the streets when alot of homeless people are alcoholics means arresting the same people or moving them on time and time again, if theres an area where its safe and legal then it saves the police and the poor people alot of trouble,

Also, just came to be, Musicares foundation - supplying musicians with financial and other assistance when drug issues leave them unable to take care of basic needs in life. big supporter of that one

[sunshine_gg]

Would you like to help with my school project?

Hey DG!!!

We have both, "wet shelters" as well as needle exchanges in Canada. Here are a couple of links:

'Wet' shelter needs political will
Shelter-based managed alcohol administration to chronicallyhomeless people addicted to alcohol
CBC News Indepth: Drugs
Debate: Needle exchanges - Debatepedia
http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/needle-e...-review-report

Good luck with your debate!!!!

[Doggygirl]

Would you like to help with my school project?

rubywillow;1199596 wrote: That's so sad, In. There's a fine line between helping and allowing or dismissing a problem in every culture.

Inchy and Ruby, your discussion hits right to the heart of the debate we will be having. Inchy, my team is assigned to your POV. (and personally, I share it) But it is not easy to come to these conclusions. I often end up with a very different view than my "off the top" one I start with.

Thanks to all for your ideas! I love having such an collection of international ideas on the issues.

DG

[myhappyplace]

Would you like to help with my school project?

Hi Doggygirl

One of my boys has worked on an assignment on this so here are a few links that might be of interest:

http://www.alcohol.gov.au/internet/alcohol/publishing.nsf/Content/resources-harm-minimisation/$FILE/alc_harm.pdf

Australian Institute of Criminology - Harm reduction strategies

Sorry the first ones not pasting properly - it is the better of the two btw - racing out the door now so hope you can get the pdf...

Sure some of the other Undies might have some ideas too...

[Doggygirl]

Would you like to help with my school project?

Sunni and myhappyplace - thank you both so much for the links! myhappy, what is your son studying? I be that was in interesting project.

DG

[myhappyplace]

Would you like to help with my school project?

DG - It was a SOSE assignment - Study of Society and Environment, so part of general curriculum, though I think he beyond the assignment guidelines, application due to interest you could say!

[lucky 2.0]

Would you like to help with my school project?

DG,

Check out HAMS online. RJ knows the organizer and spoke online to his group a few yrs ago. I think you can get some good info.

[CS04]

Would you like to help with my school project?

DG -- sounds like a great project. I don't know much about clean needle programs except that they have been controversial (duh!) A friend of mine teaches sociology both at the university I am at (in Cleveland) and another community college. I can see if she has any research insights. Can you PM me with your regular email? Thanks and good luck! I know you will do well at this new venture!