Harm Reduction
BDP aims to prevent substance-related harm by improving the ‘quality of life’ of:
Individuals with a substance-abuse problem, their carers and families.
Communities
(Those groups and professionals/agencies working in communities and the individuals within them).
- Crime and the fear of crime.
- Health and safety risks, specifically needlestick injuries.
- The spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
- The impact of drug use on the next generation.
Carers
(Parents and partners of drug users)
- Deterioration of physical, emotional and mental health.
- Deterioration of family relationships.
- Trauma in managing their role as carer of a substance misuser.
Individuals
Substance related harm to individuals includes:
- Deterioration of physical, emotional and mental health.
- Deterioration of housing, financial and employment security.
- Deterioration of personal and social relationships.
- Criminal activity.
- The spread of HIV and other infections, notably Hepatitis C.
Death due to drug misuse, especially accidental overdose.
Stigmatisation and alienation by communities.