What is harm reduction?

• Harm reduction refers to strategies, programs, and projects that aim to mitigate the harms induced by the use of psychoactive substances and food supplements without the demand of stopping their use.
• Harm reduction approach complements the approaches aimed at prevention or reducing the use of psychoactive substances and food supplements; however, it acknowledges that many drug users, abusing alcohol and tobacco, medicines, salt, sugar, and fats are unable or are unwilling to kick this habit.
• The main approach is to offer people using psychoactive substances and supplements such options (alternatives) that will help them reducing the risks associated with the use of drugs, consumption of alcohol, tobacco, medicines, salt, sugar, and fats, and with possible harms for themselves and for other people.
• The approach is based on firm commitment to principles of protection of public health and human rights.
• The approach will benefit people using drugs, consuming alcohol, tobacco, medicines, salt, sugar, and fats, their families and the community in general.
• Harm reduction programs can and do work along with approaches aimed at reduction of the use of drugs, and consumption of alcohol, tobacco, medicines, salt, sugar, and fats.