Harm reduction

Research study of Insite, a safe injection site in downtown Vancouver, where intravenous drug users are supervised by medical staff. Found Insite is saving lives, as fatal overdoses have dropped by 35 per cent since the site opened two years ago, compared with the decrease of 9 percent of overdose deaths in the rest of the city. In The Lancet - 18 April 2011, DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)62353-7

Provides discussion guide to stimulate further conversation on addressing the needs of pregnant women and mothers in substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, service system planning, and policy making. Developed from the work of the Community of Practice (vCoP) that served as a mechanism for “gendering” the National Framework for Action to Reduce the Harms Associated with Alcohol and other Drugs and Substances in Canada.

Provides discussion guide to stimulate conversation on gendered approaches to harm reduction. Developed from the work of the Community of Practice (vCoP) that served as a mechanism for “gendering” the National Framework for Action to Reduce the Harms Associated with Alcohol and other Drugs and Substances in Canada.

Provides discussion guide on gendered approaches to youth prevention, harm reduction, and treatment, arising from a national virtual Community of Practice (vCoP) that served as a mechanism for “gendering” the National Framework for Action to Reduce the Harms Associated with Alcohol and other Drugs and Substances in Canada.

This article is adapted from Girl-Centred Approaches to Prevention, Harm Reduction, and Treatment and Heavy Alcohol Use Among Girls and Young Women: Highlights of Findings from Literature Review and Web Search. It illustrates how increasing attention is being brought to the issue of substance use by girls and young women, and the associated health and social consequences of heavy drinking, smoking cigarettes, as well as the use of both licit and illicit substances. Local, national, and international data now show that the gender gap in substance use is closing.

Discusses the creation of one of the first woman-centred, harm-reduction programs for women from the downtown eastside of Vancouver. Also discusses harm reduction and pre-and post-natal care, as well as improving maternal outcomes through harm-reduction programs.

A review of the literature on methadone use in pregnancy, and a risk/benefit analysis of its usage.

Examine how drug use can affect a person's general health and weaken the immune system. Describes cleaning procedures for those sharing needles, in order to reduce the chances of HIV transmission.

Examines and discusses the usefulness of harm reduction strategies aimed at reducing the adverse health effects of tobacco use, including cutting down, switching to low-tar cigarettes, switching to cigars and pipes, alternative cigarettes, switching to smokeless tobacco, and switching to pharmaceutical nicotine products.