Harm reduction measures have repeatedly been shown to be effective in reducing risk behaviours and HIV transmission and are not associated with unintended negative consequences such as increasing illicit drug use.
Nevertheless, policymakers in many countries have demonstrated a profound reluctance to accept the strong evidence of benefit and safety. Consequently, implementation of harm reduction prevention strategies has often been inadequate, delayed or obstructed. In many countries and regions, the poor acceptance of harm reduction has had catastrophic health, social and economic consequences.
The need for improved advocacy for harm reduction has been identified in many regions where HIV infection among injecting drug users threatens or has already occurred. Advocacy for harm reduction is one of the core functions of HAARP, aimed at the regional and national policy level right down to service delivery, treatment and care, and peer outreach and awareness at the community level. |