Harm Minimization in Drug Policy: Three Pillars of Approach

Mental Health Nursing

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Main context....................................................................................................................................3
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8
References......................................................................................................................................10

Introduction
Harm minimization focus on addressing alcohol and other drug-related issues by minimizing the
harmful effect of drugs and alcohol on society and individuals. The aim of harm reduction is to
minimize the negative effects of heath performances without essentially quenching the
challenging health behaviors completely (BLASZCZYNSKI, 2010). It includes social, economic
and health consequences of AOD that is being used on both community and individuals as a
whole. It has been launched in 1985 by National Campaign against the subsequent National Drug
Strategy and Drug abuse. Since then it has become a key policy of the federal government and
Australian state. It has been an effective approach in reducing mortality and morbidity between
the adults of Australia. The approach of harm reduction can also address other risk behaviors that
are related to using of drugs and the principals of harm reduction are being applied for such
harms like, eating disorder, sex work, and tobacco use.
Main context
Three pillars of harm minimization
The development of the strategy for reducing drug abuse was informed in 2015 by a national
consultation process, which had included online survey feedback, informant interviews, and
stakeholder forums. The process of the constitution was vital in shaping the direction and
priorities for the strategy and also providing strong support to continuing of Australia and its
commitment to minimization of harm underpinning its approach of drug policy (Dickerson &
O'Connor, 2011). The long-standing commitment of Australia and international organizations for
harm minimization includes economic and social concerns for using drug in individuals, health,

families and communication as a whole and grounded on the considerations such as, the use of
drug arise a continuum, from occasional use to dependent use, range of harm related to different
patterns and types of drug use and these harms requires response of multifaceted. The policy of
harm minimization identifies the clear recognition of a clear risk that is being carried by drug
use. The drug users need support for reducing the harm associated with a drug not only for
themselves but also for the general community, including their families (Etter, 2018).
Drug use is not allowed according to this policy approach. The strategy includes implementation
of the approach and it covers programs, legislation, funding, and program that is considered to be
the responsibility of related agencies in Commonwealth, the jurisdiction of territory and state
(Gauvin, Zimmermann & Baird, 2016). This approach helps in reducing the harm of use by
coordinating, the response of multi-agencies that address harm minimization of three pillars.
Three pillars require demand reduction, harm reduction, and supply reduction. This strategy
helps in minimizing and preventing tobacco, alcohol and other problems related to drug and it
should be balanced across three pillars. There is a range of approaches that are being included in
harm minimization for preventing and reducing drug-related issues and also helps individuals
facing problems addressing these problems and also focuses on abstinence-oriented strategies
(Gauvin, Zimmermann & Baird, 2016). Three pillars of harm minimization are mentioned
below:
Demand reduction
This pillar focuses on preventing the approval and delays the start of use of tobacco, alcohol and
other drugs. It also focuses on the misuse of alcohol and the use of drugs and tobacco and also
supports individuals in getting recover from dependency and reintegrate with the community.