Harm Reduction: Safe Injection Sites

Published: Aug. 31, 2020, 3 p.m.

Harm reduction programs like needle exchange programs or medically supervised injection sites aim to a) respond to the addiction health issues of those who are dependent on injection drugs, and b) respond to the broader public health impact of addiction on a community such as a high amount of drug overdose or the transmission of infectious disease through the sharing of infected needles. These harm reduction programs are having an impact, but some have questioned whether such programs inappropriately cooperate with drug abuse. Our two guests today will offer us insight into that question and the impactful experience of two such harm reduction programs at Providence Health Care in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.\n\nOur guests in this episode include:\n\n \tScott Harrison, Director for Urban Health, Indigenous Health, Substance Use, Maternity and Neonatal Intensive Care at Providence Health Care\n \tChristopher DeBono, Vice President of Mission, People and Ethics also at Providence Health Care\n\nThis episode was recorded on January 23, 2020\n\nAdditional resources relating to or referenced in this episode:\n\n \tAssessing the Ethical Issues in "Safe Injection" Sites by Carol Bayley, and Fr. Charles Bouchard\n \tCatholic Ethicists on HIV/AIDS Prevention, by James Keenan\n \tCatholic Participation in Needle- and Syringe-Exchange Programs for Injection-Drug Users: An Ethical Analysis, by Daniel Sulmasy\n \tSafe Injection Sites: A Moral Reflection, by Steven Bozza and Jeffrey Berger