Global State of Harm Reduction 2016

Harm Reduction International have released their Global State of Harm Reduction 2016 report. From their release: "This is the fifth report in the Global State series, which provides the most up-to-date picture of harm reduction policy and practice around the world.

The new data in this report shows a worrying slowdown in the provision of harm reduction services for people who use drugs, with no new countries introducing needle and syringe programmes since 2014.

Along with this, there has been a rise in injecting stimulant use across all regions of the world, and a dramatic increase in overdose deaths.

Harm reduction in prisons also remains vastly insufficient, with only a very small number of countries providing needle exchange or overdose training in at least one prison.

We would like to recognise the invaluable contribution of harm reduction advocates, networks and researchers, organisations of people who use drugs, activists, donors and multilateral agencies this year and throughout the life of this unique project. It is thanks to this collective effort that the Global State has become a key resource for so many in their work."

Despite the reported lack of growth, harm reduction is no longer considered as something "other countries" do, but is now an accepted and essential approach to counter the negative effects of punitive policies that increase the risks of using drugs. This is in no small way due to the work of Harm Reduction International who convene The Harm Reduction International Conferences - a biennial hub for our sector, that attracts over 1,000 international delegates. 

The 2017 conference will be held in Montreal, Canada: https://www.hri.global/conference-2017

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