Harm reduction is a term used to describe Public Health approaches that are designed to minimize negative consequences. Relating to misusing substances, quitting alcohol and drugs. This includes the range of policies, practices, and programs proven to reduce harm. That may be associated with substance use. These include safe consumption sites, needle exchanges, opioid substitution programs, education, and rehab c
Three main reasons for the rise of opioid overdoses
Equipment with the support of healthcare providers can have public health agency has identified three main reasons for the rise of opioid overdoses.
- The first reason was the prescription of opioids during the 1990s. Many were unaware of The Addictive nature of opioids. The overprescription of opioids for acute and chronic pain by physicians significantly contributed to the crisis we see today. A lack of understanding of opioids addictive potential led to misuse for many who had otherwise never interacted with drugs.
- The second reason is the criminalization of drugs. Criminalization of drugs contribute to the Vicious Cycle of stigma.Because people who are criminalized are less likely to get employed, get clean and get support.
Decriminalization is an evidence-based strategy aimed at reducing the harms associated with the criminalization of drugs. These harms include criminal charges, stigma, high-risk consumption patterns, overdose, and the transmission of blood-borne disease. Decriminalization aims to decrease harm by removing mandatory criminal sanctions, replacing them with responses that promote access to education and reintegration back into society. It is not a single approach or intervention. Rather, it describes a ranger’s principles, policies, and practices that can be implemented in various ways.
- The third reason was that we observe the contamination of fentanyl into the drug Supply. Fentanyl is an opioid that is 100 times more powerful than morphine. Which, when ingested, increases the likelihood of an overdose its potency poses a concern for substance users. As they may not know that the drug they’re consuming has been contaminated with fentanyl.
Conclusion:
They are still a big source of the statement, which we have dealt with in our community engagement for years and years still there still deal with it. And that one is just another level of earlier stigma that’s compounded on the population continuing to make sure that these services are provided because they’re saving lives. So if you reduce it to that level, that is simply a life-saving provision. This is what has to be done for the very important provision of naloxone to people. And that can be very much a very practical thing that could be done right across the board across the committee, all of you couldn’t have a naloxone kit and your work, and it’ll turn out to be a very important piece of equipment.