How to reduce risks

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The intervention strategies that emerge from the harm reduction policy are characterized by:

Expanding the variety and supply of attention, establishing multiple and intermediate objectives.
Adapting the interventions to the heterogeneity of drug users and their individual cases.
Establishing a relationship that is more equitable, flexible, and more participatory in decision-making between professional drug users
Incorporating measures to promote a controlled substance use. Between the abusive use and the abstinence, working with regulations on drug use.
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These strategies lead to several types of actions that can be implemented together or separately, according to the realties of each community. Among the most common, these can be identified:

Actions oriented to promote the consumption of less risk, aimed at providing health education; often operated in environments near the consumption sites. In the case of injecting drug users, including exchange programs and / or distribution of syringes, this can be made from different locations (mobile teams of health workers in the street, primary care centers, hospitals, special schools, pharmacies, etc…) and safe injection sites.
Activities aimed at providing minimal care, social support services and basic health care adapted to the lifestyles of users and access to a socio-health network.
Actions designed to promote safer sex, providing sex education and prevention, and increase access to condoms.
Action to replace the use of substances purchased on the illegal market for prescribed substances. This includes methadone maintenance programs or programs for controlled distribution of heroin.
Actions to promote work among pairs and self-organization of drug users, which encourage the protagonists of the users as agents of prevention and protection of their civil rights