by the Edmonton Zone Medical Staff Association
October 31, 2022
Harm reduction refers to policies, programs and practices that aim to reduce risks and harm associated with the use of psychoactive substances.
Abstinence or reducing substance use are not required to receive healthcare services.
Harm Reduction, supervised consumption sites and decriminalization do not enable drug use.
Harm reduction and supervised consumption sites do not attract more people who use drugs and crime into a neighbourhood.
Harm reduction and decriminalization of drugs saves government money.
Abstinence is an option that can co-exist with a harm reduction approach on a continuum of healthcare. They are not one or the other.
