Harm Reduction – the newest & best in counseling

Lily Cat on Stuff – March 24, 2007 – 12PM- 2PM
Harm Reduction – the newest & best in counseling
Interview with:
Emalie Huriaux - Harm Reduction Coalition – http://www.harmreduction.org
Kevin Mosley - tweaker.org & Stone Wall - http://www.tweaker.org

We had a wonder conversation about Harm Reduction - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harm%5Freduction
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

“Harm reduction is a philosophy of public health, intended to be a progressive alternative to the prohibition of certain lifestyle choices. The central idea of harm reduction is the recognition that some people always have and always will engage in behaviors which carry risks, such as casual sex, prostitution, and drug use.

Harm reduction initiatives range from widely accepted designated driver campaigns, to more controversial initiatives like the provision of condoms in schools, needle exchange programs, safe injection rooms, drug legalization, and heroin maintenance programs.

The main objective of harm reduction is to mitigate the potential dangers and health risks associated with the behaviors themselves.”

Most of the outreach workers and counselors in the HIV education and prevention community have taken on using the harm reduction model then the “Just say No” or absences based philosophy. With the exception of religious based health groups; harm reduction (or risk reduction) is the more dominate practice used in counseling.”

We talked about how it was actually the drugs users themselves who got together and started harm reduction. Harm Reduction which is already widely used in Europe is becoming a regular used counseling and educational method in the public health committee in the U.S.

We discussed many Harm Reduction practices.
- Needle Exchanges
- Test injections (to see how strong a drug is)
- Using with people (or having someone check on you)
- Moderation groups
- Counseling

We talked about the various methods of use and effects of Meth Annifadamens and opiates. We talked about the signs of overdose (Meth – heart attach or stork; and Morphine/ heroine/ opiates – breathing slows way down and stops. Being non- responsive is a big sigh). What to do if you see someone overdosing and what not to do/ some of the “Pulp Fiction” myths – want not to do with someone who is Oding on Heroine or another such job:
- Don’t kick them into the balls
- Don’t put them into an ice tub
- Don’t shot adrenalin into someone’s heart

Do:
- Try waking them by shaking or sternum rub
- Call 911
- Do rescues breathing if you know how

(And if you have it using naloxone (Narcan) – a drug known to temporally stop the effects of Morphine/ heroine/ opiates till ideally it gets out of the system.)

We talked about Withdrawal and various treatment options for people trying to get off drugs.

We talked about how people can use Harm Reduction in various access in their lives (diet, etc….)

A FEW SUGGEST TO CHECK OUT TO LEARN MORE:
“Drug. Set, and Setting” – Dr. Norman Zinberg
“Harm Reduction 12 Steps -Suggested Program for Drug Users.” – Imani Patricia Woods

PLAYLIST:
Julie Ruin - V.G.I
Cramps – Route 66
Adam Green – Jessica
Reo Speedealer- Com Down
The Kills – Mudermile
The Kills – Ticket Man

NEWS:

I read a few points about the Patriot Act from ACLU.org
And talked about Medi-cal D and how to get around p[roblems
- http://www.medi-cal.ca.gov/