Search results for: “what is harm minimisation”

  • Ex-ice users lecturing school kids not the answer to preventing drug use

    Australia’s broader drug policy is based on “harm minimisation”. This acknowledges it’s impossible to eliminate drugs from society and that most people will use drugs only occasionally and for a short period in their lives. So reducing harms associated with drug use is the priority. […]

  • Desperate Punters Are Using Tinder And Snapchat To Score Drugs At Music Festivals

    The constantly evolving use of social media and dating apps to try and score drugs shows how futile attempts to stop drug use at music festivals are. Is it time to accept it’s always going to happen and get on board with harm minimisation approaches? […]

  • Decades on, old foes unite for new drug approach

    Next month’s summit, the initiative of a group of MPs from across political divides, will consider how a harm-minimisation approach could be extended to today’s major drug challenges, including the rising availability and use of ice. […]

  • Dennis Gray

    Dennis Gray

    I whole-heartedly support the aims of Harm Reduction Australia (HRA). Although some progress has been made in the minimisation of alcohol and other drug related harm, much remains to be done. In particular, we need work in genuine partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations to reduce the disproportionate level of alcohol…

  • Garth Popple

    Garth Popple

    Garth Popple is the Executive Director, We Help Ourselves (WHOS) and Director of WHOS International. He currently holds the following honorary positions: Deputy Chair (ex officio past President) Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association (ATCA); and recently Executive Member of the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) for the past 13 years; a recent Past President –…

  • Laurence Alvis

    Laurence Alvis

    Harm Reduction is an essential component of a balanced approach to addressing the impacts of alcohol and other drug use within our communities.  UnitingCare ReGen is a strong advocate for the ongoing improvement of Harm Reduction initiatives to compliment Supply Reduction and Demand Reduction measures within Australia’s Harm Minimisation drug policy framework. […]

  • Mehreen Faruqi

    Mehreen Faruqi

    It’s undeniable that the ‘war on drugs’ has comprehensively failed. It has failed parents, families, young people, and it has failed the taxpayer.  We need to change course urgently. If we are serious about saving lives we have to get serious about harm reduction. In order to help drug users, their families and the wider…

  • Sam Biondo

    Sam Biondo

    The role of an organisation such as Harm Reduction Australia will be invaluable in maintaining a clear focus on health and welfare policies that make a positive difference in our community. By focussing on endeavours that build on past harm minimisation successes the desire is to steer a progressive, non-punitive approach which enhances the lives…

  • Sheila McHale

    Sheila McHale

    Palmerston Association is a leading and respected alcohol and other drug service in Western Australia.  For over 35 years, this organisation has been a leading and strident advocate of a harm minimisation approach. The principles of harm minimisation are enshrined in our most recent strategic framework.  Palmerston is committed to our needle and syringe exchange…

  • Sione Crawford

    Sione Crawford

    Harm Reduction and the enthusiasm and involvement of the affected communities, including people who inject drugs, saved Australia from the worst of the HIV epidemic. The provision of sterile needles and syringes, condoms, peer education and community mobilisation formed the bedrock of harm reduction, saved many, many lives and saved successive governments millions of dollars.…