Harm reduction among injecting drug users

Harm reduction is the application of good public health principles to the problem of HIV. It is a phrase used to describe a concept aiming to prevent or reduce negative health consequences associated with certain behaviours.

In relation to drug use, harm reduction is consistent with a pragmatic public health approach to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in which evidence-based HIV/AIDS strategies targeting drug users are promoted.

Injecting drug use is one of the fastest growing routes of HIV infection in many parts of the world, primarily because needles, syringes and drug preparation equipment are frequently shared, enabling rapid spread of the virus.

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