From zero tolerance to open dialogue: How harm reduction is shifting the conversation on drug use

December 6, 2019

Harm reduction focuses not on abstinence, but minimizing harm and potential danger. The number of such initiatives in Canada has grown in recent years, including some high-profile safe injection sites in B.C. to help curb the deadly opioid crisis in that province.

Emily Jenkins, who recently led a Peter Wall Institute International Research Roundtable on public health approaches to legal regulation of currently prohibited substances, was interviewed by the CBC for this article. 

Jenkins’ research focuses on mental health and illness. A recent study conducted by her found that many teens in B.C. respond more positively to harm reduction approaches than a don’t-do-drugs edict.