What s The Harm? Conference 2015: Where are we now.what s Next? Beth Whalen

Transcription

1 What s The Harm? Conference 2015: Where are we now.what s Next? Beth Whalen

2 Harm reduction means a common sense, non-judgmental and pragmatic way of dealing with problems caused by the use of drugs. It emphasizes tolerance, respect for personal choices of others and respect for human rights. It favours evidence over anecdote, courage over cowardice and doing what is right even if it seems to send out the wrong message. It means doing what has to be done to protect the public health in the face of opposition from all quarters because it is the right thing to do. It means changing the way people think by discussion, advocacy and evidence. It means reserving the right to be wrong and owning up when you are and when there may be unintended negative consequences. It means working with some of the best people in the world. It means dealing with some of the worst. It means turning colleagues into lifelong friends. Harm reduction is the only effective way of improving health and reducing death among drug users.

3 Harm Reduction refers to policies, programs and practices that aim to reduce the negative health, social and economic consequences that may ensue from the use of legal and illegal psychoactive drugs, without necessarily reducing drug use. It s cornerstones are public health, human rights and social justice. It benefits people who use drugs, families and communities

4 Studies show that the sharing of drug preparation and injection equipment could place people at risk for the transmission of blood borne infections including HIV and hepatitis B and C. The distribution of sterile, single use equipment is used as an intervention to decrease the transmission of disease and risk taking behaviours, and increase positive health outcomes.

5 Started in 1992 by the John Howard Society of Durham Region The program was mandated by the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care and became funded in 1997 by Durham Region Public Health Department In 2014 we distributed over 548,000 syringes and took in over 514,000 syringes The program saw 5,756 contacts with men and 3135 contacts with women in 2014

6 Syringes Alcohol Swabs Sterile Water Cookers Filters Tourniquets Vitamin C Condoms & Lubricant

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8 They come in a variety of sizes for individual preferences

9 Cookers or spoons are used when dissolving pills, powdered or solid drugs with water, and/or acidifiers

10 The water is used to dissolve drugs into a solution prior to injection and to flush syringes

11 Acidifiers are used to convert insoluble drugs like brown heroin or crack-cocaine into a water-soluble form by adding an acid

12 Alcohol swabs are used to clean the injection site before injection. Swabs also remove any blood resulting from the injection from fingers and other surfaces.

13 Latex free tourniquets or ties are used to "tie off" and restrict blood flow causing a vein to bulge out and become accessible

14 Pyrex tubes Brass screens Mouth pieces Wooden push stick Alcohol swabs Lip Balm Condoms & lubricant Safer inhalation tips

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16 Unsafe Options Often Used When Unable to Access New, Sterile Supplies

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18 Chronic disease that affects the liver Was not identified till 1989 Nearly 8,000 individuals were infected in 2007 (Ministry of Health and Long Term Care) Increased risk of Hep C with intravenous drug use Once infected, this is a chronic disease that can affect numerous areas of someone s life (home, work, social)

19 Blood-born diseases are also reduced with harm reduction programs Individuals can reduce their risk to not contract any diseases by participating in harm reduction practises And if someone has already been infected, they can ensure that other do not contract their disease by participating in harm reduction programming!

20 Downtown Business Management Committee plus the Safety Committee plan a downtown Oshawa clean-up Sharps teams go out and are accessible by cell phone during the clean-up Harm Reduction Staff go to where the syringe (s) are found and make sure that they are collected and disposed of safely.

21 Junk food Smoking Gambling Shopping in excess Social Media ie. Facebook, Twitter, My Space Cell phone or ipod

22 There are many reasons why we do the things we do, and drugs are no exception Depression Physical pain Anxiety (social anxiety) Pressures (socially) Escaping painful memories Biological factors Curiosity Help escape problems

23 The different substances typically used by an individual who accesses our Harm Reduction program Opiates (OxyContin Dilaudid) Cocaine / Crack Heroin Morphine Fentanyl Crystal Meth

24 Opium, heroin, codeine & morphine Slows down the central nervous system and has a sedative affect to reduce pain Used to reduce pain in a short term capacity with chronic or terminal illnesses Pharmaceutical drugs like OxyContin or Dilaudid Methadone falls under this category

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26 Crack is the most common street name used for a crystallized form of Cocaine made into small lumps or rocks Cocaine hydrochloride is processed with ammonia or baking soda and water then heated to produce a pure, easily smoked product The term crack refers to the crackling sound heard when the product is smoked or processed The high is usually 5-10 minutes Speeds up the central nervous system with increased activity in the cerebral cortex which elevates mood, increased alertness & euphoria

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29 Depending on the substance being used, overdosing can be a reality for some individuals Teaching clients the signs and symptoms that are commonly associated with the onset of an overdose Slow breath Blue lips Person may not be moving Person may be choking Can t be woken up Pupils are tiny

30 Collaboratively create plans with service users Keep the stages of change model handy, and use your clinical judgment for where the client is, dependent on their use of words and change talk Noting this in mind, be mindful when plans are made with service users, and how easy/doable it is for that person Be mindful of barriers to service

31 Most substance users do not want to be using, but for their circumstances at this time might not be able to quit or get help Having an open mind and understand your biases, your rate of discriminating or oppressing a service user is much lower

32 John Howard Society of Durham Daytime Hours of Operation Monday to Friday and vary by location 75 Richmond St. W., Oshawa (905) Commercial Dr., Ajax (905) (injection supplies only) 114 Dundas St. E., Suite 200, Whitby (905) (injection supplies only) 132 Church St., Bowmanville (905) (injection supplies only) Outreach Program available Monday to Friday 6:00 P.M. 11:00 P.M. by calling (905) or (905)

33 Satellite Sites various hours AIDS Committee of Durham # King St. W., Oshawa (905) Pinewood Centre (Lakeridge Health) 300 Centre St. S., Oshawa (905) # King St. W., Oshawa Centre (905) # Bayly St. W., Ajax (905) Mary St., 3 rd Floor, Port Perry (905) # King St. E., Bowmanville (905)

34 Special thanks to Christina Colacicco for her contributions to this powerpoint presentation