What Is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction is a policy that stands in stark contrast to the current drug policy created by the War On Drugs. Smart On Drugs Policy is about admitting the loss of current policy, cutting your loss, and making a change.
Aspects Of Harm Reduction and Smart On Drugs Policy
There are several different aspects and various layers to the concepts and that form during a drug addiction that can only break with a Smart On Drugs Policy. One thing is certain, a drug policy of harm reduction does not perpetuate the draconian sanctions, ideas, or punishments that have been created by the War On Drugs. This idea can save lives. Since the creations of the first drug policy in the United States the goal has been to keep us from ingesting certain things into our bodies. Though it was Richard Nixon that first coined the term War On Drugs, the ideology actually goes back over 100 Years.
Believe it or not the groundwork for this war was actually created in 1875 in San Francisco. It was during this time that the foundation for the racist War On Drugs was created by targeting the Chinese immigrant population of the area. From that point on any idea of safe drug use went out the window. Brick by brick, law by law, the War On Drugs was created.
However, despite the fact that we still remain in a framework supported by the War On Drugs the world is slowly beginning to wake up. Perhaps some of the greatest activists for harm reduction are the Millennial Generation with their similarities to the Hippies of the 60's and 70's. During the current ideological shift there have been a few ideas that are prominent all across the harm reduction community.
Believe it or not the groundwork for this war was actually created in 1875 in San Francisco. It was during this time that the foundation for the racist War On Drugs was created by targeting the Chinese immigrant population of the area. From that point on any idea of safe drug use went out the window. Brick by brick, law by law, the War On Drugs was created.
However, despite the fact that we still remain in a framework supported by the War On Drugs the world is slowly beginning to wake up. Perhaps some of the greatest activists for harm reduction are the Millennial Generation with their similarities to the Hippies of the 60's and 70's. During the current ideological shift there have been a few ideas that are prominent all across the harm reduction community.
- Abolishing Mandatory Minimum Sentences- while this particular aspect of harm reduction has gained some traction with the announcement of Attorney General Eric Holder to allow the attorney generals of individual states and judges more leeway in the sentencing of drug related crimes it is not enough. Until a solid policy is put in place that completely abolishes these draconian sentences for non-violent drug offenses, the harm reduction community will continue to battle this aspect of the War On Drugs.
- Creation Of Drug Courts & Alternative Sentencing- Once again, this is an area where some progress has been made in fighting the War On Drugs. However, a true Smart On Drugs Policy and harm reduction approach would require BY LAW for each state to have drug courts and an alternate sentence to incarceration.
- Recognizing Drug Addiction As A Disease- It seems when it comes to giving up the War On Drugs the United States is all about doing things halfway. In a third example of their reluctance, the United States Government and its agencies refuse to completely view drug addiction as a disease. Until they adopt this perception, they will not be able to efficiently combat drug addiction and establish a harm reduction approach.
- Legalizing Marijuana- While this may seem counter-intuitive to a Smart On Drugs Policy and harm reduction approach it is actually one of the greatest tools in the harm reduction arsenal to put an end to the War On Drugs for good. For the first time, a majority of Americans support the legalization of marijuana. This relates to the War On Drugs because marijuana actually brings in the most money for the DEA and other War On Drugs tyrants.
Discuss How You Can Become A Harm Reduction Activist And The Concepts Of Harm Reduction
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How To Promote Harm Reduction Activism1. Combine drug experience with Harm Reduction knowledge = True Harm Reduction Wisdom
2. Do not be afraid to use your voice to promote harm reduction and denounce the War On Drugs. 3. Start your own grassroots movement promoting harm reduction activism. |
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