Harm Reduction

The disease of addiction tends to affect both the internal (physical and psychological) and external (finance, relationship, etc.) aspects of a person's life. Therefore effective drug treatment should include a variety of treatment interventions and care.

The UK drug strategy recognises the complexities involved in delivering effective drug treatment. Drug services use guidance provided by the National Treatment Agency to provide a range of interventions and support to ensure effective treatment according to the needs of each client.

This section explains Harm Reduction and the types of services that offer it.

• Harm reduction means reducing the harm caused by drugs to the individual, their family and the wider community.
• Harm Reduction is not a “TREATMENT” but preventative measures to reduce the risk of harms associated with drug misuse
• Harm reduction is about providing, advice and information to prevent blood bourne viruses passed on by contaminated blood though sharing needles and injecting equipment (particularly HIV and hepatitis infections), and preventing overdose and drug-related deaths.
• All drug treatment services, whether residential or based in the community, provide this as a core service.
• Simply ask your drug service provider what Harm Reduction services they offer.

Examples of harm reduction are:

• Needle exchange services, which distribute and dispose of needles, syringes and other injecting equipment (such as spoons, filters and citric acid). You can get Needle Exchange services from any drug service, pharmacy or other organization that displays this National logo.

• Advice and support on injecting more safely, injecting less and preventing other people from starting to inject.
• Advice and information about health related issues such as, sexual health and wellbeing, emotional and mental health concerns.
• Advice and support on treatment options for bacterial and fungal infections (abscesses, ulcers).
• Advice and information on preventing infections associated with drug misuse, particularly hepatitis A, B and C, and HIV (blood-borne viruses).
• Testing, advice, information and counselling around hepatitis and HIV.
• Vaccination for hepatitis A and B.
• Access to treatment for hepatitis B, C and HIV infection.
• Advice and support on preventing overdose and drug-related death.
• Assessing clients and referring them to other treatment services if necessary.

The source of the above information is the National Treatment Agency – NTA and NHS. This information has been summarized by and for FARS services. For the direct link to these sources, click on:
http://www.nta.nhs.uk/about_treatment/Types_of_treatment.aspx
http://www.nta.nhs.uk/publications/documents/nta_getting_help_with_a_drug_problem.pdf

Remember:

• The National Treatment Agency – NTA believes clients have a central role and should be involved in all aspects of decision making in relation to their treatment plan. NHS & NTA service providers are advised to actively involve clients in planning, delivering and evaluating service provision. NTA Guidance for local partnership on user and care involvement. September 2006
• Ask your Key worker what types of treatment and support services they offer. You will be offered a range of care and support throughout your treatment journey to achieve your treatment goals.

Please note the Recovery Pathways section:

• Is intended for addicts aiming towards abstinence and recovery.
• The treatment interventions, services and policies represent a model and are guidelines for local services.
• Local drug treatment services tailor their services to fit the needs of the local population. Therefore not all services explained in this section are necessarily available in all drug service providers.

Please note: Any information provided is based on our limited knowledge. Refer to our Terms & Conditions for further information.