Landmark Surgeon General Report Endorses Harm Reduction

Post from the Harm Reduction Coalition! "Harm reduction programs provide public health-oriented, evidence-based, and cost-effective services."    Landmark Surgeon General Report Endorses Harm Reduction  A landmark report on alcohol and other drugs released today by the U.S. Surgeon General endorses harm reduction and specifically refers to syringe access programs as a "important strategy." The first ever report on the topic by the Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy also highlights the role of harm reduction in meeting people 'where they're at' by acknowledging that harm reduction programs meet the "needs of those who are not yet ready to participate in treatment" and those "who may not be ready to stop substance use – offering individuals strategies to reduce risks while still using." The report refers to problematic drug use as the countries most pressing public health concern and cites that nearly 21 million Americans – more than the number of people who have all types cancers combined – suffer from alcohol and other drug dependence. The report, titled Facing Addiction in America: Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health, also cites the benefits of peer-distributed naloxone to reverse opioid overdose fatalities: "take-home doses of naloxone along with education and training for those actively using opioids and their peers and family members, have the potential to help decrease overdose related deaths."  "These programs work with populations who may not be ready to stop substance use – offering individuals strategies to reduce risks while still using substances. Strategies include outreach and education programs, needle/syringe exchange programs, overdose prevention education, and access to naloxone to reverse potentially lethal opioid overdose. These strategies are designed to reduce substance misuse and its negative consequences for the users and those around them, such as transmission of HIV and other infectious diseases. They also seek to help individuals engage in treatment to reduce, manage, and stop their substance use when appropriate."  The Surgeon General's personal introduction to the report addresses drug-related stigma and he personally states that "stigma has created an added burden of shame that has made people... less likely to come forward and seek help."  Dr. Vivek Murthy's closing remarks in the preface of the landmark report echo what Harm Reduction Coalition has been advocating for more than two decades: "Above all, we can never forget that the faces of substance use disorders are real people. They are a beloved family member, a friend, a colleague, and ourselves." Harm Reduction Coalition stands with the Surgeon General in calling for a public health approach to substance use. This report will be vital for the harm reduction community in our collective education and advocacy efforts for years to come. Read the Surgeon General's Report here

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Baltimore Sun article highlighted the negative impact of opioid use in the US. Big ongoing challenge for all communities!

Overdose deaths ... continued grim spike last year

"Unfortunately, this mirrors a trend across the country," ..

The [Maryland] state data showed only one area of improvement. While deaths from heroin, fentanyl, prescription drugs, cocaine and alcohol also ticked up, fatal overdoses dropped nearly 12 percent in the benzodiazepine category, which includes tranquilizers such as Valium and Xanax often used to treat anxiety.

The work continues, said Van T. Mitchell, state health secretary.

"Maryland, like many states across the nation, has been in the midst of an opioid epidemic," he said. "Health and Mental Hygiene continues our work to try to save lives by making residents aware of the peril associated with substance-use disorder and of the resources available to treat those who grapple with this problem."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/bs-hs-heroin-overdoses-20160609-story.html

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Plan Now for World AIDS Day (Dec 1)

World AIDS Day is observed worldwide on December 1 of each year. Dedicated to AIDS awareness and education, this day is supported by events worldwide bringing AIDS challenges and awareness into the forefront of the news. Take advantage of this annual opportunity to promote AIDS awareness. 

First conceived in 1987, each year World AIDS Day theme is now chosen by the World AIDS Campaign's Global Steering Committee after extensive consultation with people, organizations and government agencies involved in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.

Led by the World AIDS Campaign organization, the theme for World AIDS Day 2015 is ”Getting to zero.” Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS-related deaths.