DJ Mag Malaysia #002 DJ Mag Malaysia #002 | Page 88

Trip Project

Harm reduction is a way of thinking about
and practicing healthy ways of being that
build on the risk reduction strategies we all
use to keep ourselves as safe and healthy as
possible.
Harm
reduction
is
gaining
worldwide
acceptance and popularity as a public health
philosophy and strategy because it has
p r ove n m o r e e f f e c t i ve i n m e e t i n g p e o p l e’ s
diverse health needs than the traditional
public health models. People are starting to
realize that medical models of health are very
exclusive and benefit only a small group of
p e o p l e ( t h o s e c o n s i d e r e d c u l t u r a l l y, m e n t a l l y
and physically ‘normal’).
Harm Reduction is about working with
immediate goals and issues people have,
enabling choice and opportunity without
imposing change. It values life, choice,
respect and compassion over judgement,
stigma, discrimination or punishment.

Some popular examples of Harm
Reduction in practice:
1. Free condoms - making condoms available
for people who are sexually active to
reduce the spread of HIV and other sexually
transmitted infections rather than simply
telling people not to have sex at all.
2. Designated Driver Programs - an official
government message on alcohol doesn’t tell
y o u t o a b s t a i n f r o m d r i n k i n g a l t o g e t h e r, b u t
rather if you choose to drink, don’t drive a
c a r.
3. Needle Distribution Programs - offering
new needles to IV drug users (anonymously)
to reduce the risk of bloodborne infections
like HIV and Hepatitis that are transmitted by
sharing injection supplies.

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