Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #106883

David Duncan, DrPH¹, Thomas Nicholson, PhD², and John B. White, PhD². (1) Brown University, 1347 Kentucky St. # 2, Bowling Green, KY 42101, 270-796-6713, david.duncan@accessky.net, (2) Public Health, Western Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, One Big Red Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101-3576

Harm Reduction is a policy alternative to demand reduction or supply reduction as the basis for a public health response to the currently illicit drugs. A growing body of evidence supports the effectiveness of some of the practices that constitute the harm reduction approach. This paper reviews the current evidence for harm reduction as evidence-based policy.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to
• Define harm reduction.
• Discuss the relationships between harm reduction and such traditional public health concepts as primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.
• Summarize the evidence for the effectiveness of harm reduction practices.

Keywords: Public Health Policy, Drug Abuse

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.