Promoting Health Through Harm Reduction Strategies Resolution

Approved: January, 2011

Approved by: National Assembly

Harm reduction is a non-judgmental, non-confrontational approach to health care. It encourages a healthier life and reduces the consequences of negative behaviours by promoting strategies that lead to achievable goals. This philosophy recognizes that some people will engage in higher risk behaviours and focuses on reducing the harm associated with those behaviours. The harm reduction philosophy includes strategies that are used to decrease the risks associated with behaviours such as drug use, smoking, driving, and sexual activity. Harm reduction is a philosophy that incorporates the principles of social justice and equal access to health care.

WHEREAS the CNSA (Canadian Nursing Students’ Association) as the official voice of nursing students, provides a medium through which members can express their opinion, encourages participation in professional and liberal education, and has the responsibility to educate and inform government, health care professionals, and the public,

WHEREAS harm reduction strategies in nursing practice have been shown to be effective in reducing health, social, and economic consequences in individuals who engage in high risk behavior,

WHEREAS CNSA as a member of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), supports equal access to health care as evident in their theme for the 2011 International Nurses Day ‘Closing the Gap: Increasing Access and Equity’,

WHEREAS the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) as a member of ICN, believes that everyone has a right to make informed decisions and choices about how to manage their own health,

WHEREAS CNSA as a member of CNA values promoting and respecting informed decision making where nurses provide patients with the information they need to make informed decisions related to their health and well-being,

WHEREAS CNSA as a member of CNA values promoting health and well-being where nurses enable patients to attain their optimum level of health,

WHEREAS the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the benefits of implementing harm reduction strategies and found no convincing evidence of any negative consequences,

WHEREAS provincial organizations across Canada have developed policies on the value of harm reduction strategies,

WHEREAS CNSA as a member of CNA pursues social justice as a goal in its policy-making process and supports equal access to health care and health resources,

BE IT RESOLVED that CNSA support and become involved in promoting health through harm reduction strategies in nursing practice and education.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that CNSA actively advocate for the Canadian Association Schools of Nursing and nursing schools and education organizations to promote health equity through education on harm reduction strategies in nursing education programs.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that CNSA encourage official delegates and associate delegates to inform their regions of this CNSA resolution on promoting harm reduction strategies in nursing practice.

Submitted by:

Meghan Cleary

Danielle Drummond

Kimberly Goodyear

Katrina MacFarlane

Jillian Strickland

References

BC Centre for Disease Control. (2009). Communicable disease control BC harm reduction strategies and services policies and guidelines Retrieved from http://www.bccdc.ca/NR/rdonlyres/4D0992FA- 0972-465B-81DD- 970AEF178FDD/0/Epi_HarmReduction_Guidelines_BCHRSSPolicyUpdateFeb2009_20090506.pdf on January 18, 2011

Canadian Nurses Association, (2008). Code of ethics for registered nurses. Ottawa, ON: Author.

Canadian Nurses Association [CNA]. (2007). Promoting equity through harm reduction in nursing practice. Retrieved from http://www.cna aiic.ca/CNA/documents/pdf/publications/Resolution1_CANAC_Harm_Reduction_2007_e.pdf on January 18, 2011

Canadian Nursing Students Association [CNSA]. (2006). National Assembly 2006 Canadian Nursing Students’ Association Strategic Plan 2006-2010. Retrieved from http://www.cnsa.ca/files/files/archive/CNSA_SP_2006_to_2010_EN.pdf on January 18, 2011

Canadian Nursing Students Association [CNSA]. (2010). Objectives of the CNSA. Retrieved from http://www.cnsa.ca/english/aboutus/objects on January 18, 2011

Government and Public Awareness & Task Group of NPNU Consortium. (2000). Harm Reduction Information Kit for professionals working with at-risk populations. Retrieved from www.hivedmonton.com on January 14, 2011

Government of Ontario, Canada. (2010). HIV and AIDS: People who use injections drugs. Retrieved from http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/hivaids/injection.html on January 18, 2011

Hathaway, A., & Tousaw, K. (2008). Harm reduction headway and continuing resistance: insights from safe injection in the city of Vancouver. International Journal of Drug Policy, 19(1), 11-16. Retrieved from CINAHL Plus with Full Text database.

International Council of Nurses [ICN]. (2010). Closing the Gap: Increasing Access and Equity. Retrieved from http://www.icn.ch/publications/international-nurses-day/ on January 18, 2011.

International Council of Nurses [ICN]. (2008). Informed patients. Retrieved from http://www.icn.ch/images/stories/documents/publications/position_statements/E06_Informed_Patient s.pdf on January 18, 2011

Lightfoot, B., Panessa, C., Hayden, S., Thumath, M., Goldstone, I., & Pauly, B. (2009). Gaining insite: harm reduction in nursing practice. Canadian Nurse, 105(4), 16-22. Retrieved from CINAHL Plus with Full Text database.

Provincial HIV/AIDS Strategy Steering Committee. (2003). Nova Scotia’s Strategy on HIV/AIDS: Summary Report, 2003. Retrieved from http://www.gov.ns.ca/health/reports/pubs/HIV_Aids_strategy.pdf on January 18, 2011

World Health Organization. (2004a). Policy brief: provision of sterile injecting equipment to reduce HIV transmission. Evidence for action on HIV/AIDS and injecting drug use. Geneva: WHO Press.

World Health Organization. (2004b). Effectiveness of sterile needle and syringe programming in reducing HIV/AIDS among injection drug users. Geneva: WHO Press.

Page last updated: December 19, 2011

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