SOCI3055A STUDIES IN ADDICTIONS February 13, 2007 INTERVENTIONS Drug Policy & Harm Reduction

Overview Readings: * Serge, S. (2003). “Perverse Effects” in Controlling Illegal Drugs. A Comparative Study. New York: Aldine de Gruyter. pp * Poulin, C. (2006). Harm Reduction and Policies and Programs for Youth. Ottawa: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. * M. Tyndall, P. Spittal, S. Coulter, M. O’Shaughnessy, M. Schechter (2003). “High pregnancy rates and reproductive health indicators among female injection-drug users in Vancouver, Canada”. The European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care. 8. pp

Class outline (1) Guest speaker – Gerald Thomas, Senior Research Advisor, Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (2) Group project – Working as a team (3) Complete - “Research methods in addictions – Forward to the basics” (4) Harm reduction (5) Drug policy & film “Drug War Odyssey”

(1) Guest Speaker Gerald Thomas, Senior Research Advisor, Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse

(2) Group Project MARCH 13 Smoking (illicit drugs, tobacco) Alcohol Food Pornography MARCH 20 5.Caffeine 6.Safe injection facilities 7.Gambling 8.Mental health & substance abuse MARCH 27 9.Sex workers & drug use 10.Steroids & athletes 11.Plastic surgery

Group work = Team work

(3) CONTINUED Research methods in addictions  Forward to the basics

(C ) What is community-based research? “CBR [community-based research] is a collaborative approach to research that equitably involves all partners in the research process and recognizes the unique strengths that each brings. CBR begins with a research topic of importance to the community with the aim of combining knowledge and action to improve community health and eliminate health disparities”. (Kellogg Community Health Scholars Program)

How CBR differs from a Western scientific approach to research INPUT Research is driven by community needs. PROCESS Community plays a role in gathering, analyzing and disseminating information. OUTCOME Research is intended to be used by the community to enhance health and build on community assets. (Paez-Victor, 2002)

CBPR Principles Communities are involved in the initiation of research ideas and partnerships. Equitable partnerships are created between research partners, where each contributes essential skill sets. Communities can be involved in collection, interpretation and dissemination of data. Enhances the capacities and skills of all partners. Communities should benefit from the research being conducted. ( The Wellesley Institute, 2006)

(D ) What is Aboriginal research?  OCAP principles B. Schnarch (2004). “Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP) or Self-Determination Applied to Research. A Critical Analysis of Contemporary First Nations Research and Some Options for First Nations Communities”. Journal of Aboriginal Health. Vol.1, No.1.  Aboriginal methods  Aboriginal research ethics M. Castellano (2004). “Ethics of Aboriginal Research”. Journal of Aboriginal Health. Vol.1, No.1.

Aboriginal methodology

Aboriginal research ethics: 8 Principles for developing ethical codes for research and partnership 1.Creating Knowledge – An Aboriginal Right 2.Fiduciary Obligations 3.Diversity of Aboriginal Cultures 4.Scope of Ethics Regimes 5.Harmonization of Ethical Protection and Intellectual Property 6.Administrative Infrastructure 7.Costs of Implementing an Ethical Regime 8.Education for Ethical Practice

(E) A research example Aboriginal Women Drug Users in Conflict with the Law: A Study of the Role of Self- Identity in the Healing Journey. stigmaresearch/

(4) Harm Reduction

Harm Reduction Defined 1.A health-centred approach that seeks to reduce the health and social harms associated with alcohol and drug use, without necessarily requiring that users abstain. 2.A non-judgmental response that meets users ‘where they are’ with regard to their substance use. 3.It offers users choice & forefronts respect for an individual and their choices. (Thomas 2005/Dell & Lyons forthcoming)

What is the significance of this quote… If you say that I can’t come [to your program] because I am using, then you’re telling me that I don’t deserve to heal. Until you’re clean you’re not good enough. I already have a core belief that I am not good enough and that message just affirms that core belief. (BCCEWH presentation, 2006)

Features of Harm Reduction  Pragmatism  Humane Values  Focus on Harms  Hierarchy of Goals (Thomas, 2005)

Examples of Harm Reduction

Response Piece: Agree, Disagree, Both “Accept the fact that for better or worse, licit and illicit drug use is a part of our world and work to minimize harmful effects rather than simply ignoring or condemning them is the best approach.”

(5) Drug Policy  Supply reduction  Demand reduction