|
The Howard Center for Human Services First Call for Children and Families |
To contact
First Call |
|---|
|
The Howard Center for Human Services First Call for Children and Families |
To contact
First Call |
|---|
THE TWELFTH PRINCIPLE SUPPORTING HARM REDUCTION/RISK REDUCTION Until recently harm reduction has been viewed by substance abuse prevention and treatment professionals as a poor alternative to abstinence-based development. In fact, the outcomes from abstinence-based vs. harm reduction interventions are not the same; if abstinence-based development is possible, the outcomes are always better. However, in a society where adolescent substance abuse has become a norm for most high school students, a harm reduction approach may -- in certain situations -- be worth considering. Typically, harm reduction in substance abuse consists of reducing amounts and frequency of use, reducing the number of intoxications and incidents of driving under the influence, and reducing possible negative consequences of use by planning ahead. The final decision is up to you -- the parent. I, personally, do not recommend harm reduction for children and youth; given the ever lowering age of first use and the growing norms of abuse among adolescents -- both of which are negative risk factors -- an abstinence-based approach is always better for child development. Other factors against the use of harm reduction include: 1) It may be used as a rationale for substance abuse; 2) It may be viewed as permission to pursue a "rite of passage" that supports underage use of psychoactive substances; 3) It conflicts with a consistent parental expectation of no use; 4) It sets the bar too high regarding use in that youth will almost always try to challenge your limits and expectations about use of psychoactive substances.
HELPFUL HINTS IN USING HARM REDUCTION 1. Recognize what harm reduction is and is not. It is based on reduction of use so as to reduce risk of harm. It aims at reducing risk of negative consequences but does not attempt to force an abstinence-based requirement on youth. 2. Discuss options (abstinence vs. harm reduction) with your adolescent child. Compare costs and benefits of both by expanding and using the diagram below. BENEFITS COSTS ABSTINENCE
HARM REDUCTION 3. Develop an agreement regarding what substance use is allowed and what substance use is not allowed. Do the same for behaviors like driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs. 4. Build in rewards for complete compliance with the agreement. If your child continues to violate the agreement, she/he may need to be assessed formally by a substance abuse treatment professional. Don't allow harm reduction to be a rationale for substance abuse. |
