Drug harm reduction and recovery activist, Kevin Jaffray, shares his experience of how harm reduction saved his life while he was in the depths of his addiction, about his work in the field now, and why he advocates for safe consumption rooms and the life saving medication, Naloxone, and much more.
How did you become involved in supporting harm reduction for drug users?
Firstly I must be clear that the harm reduction ethos does not just relate to those living with drug addiction issues or substance users. It is also concerned with the issues that surround addiction more generally and a number of other related and non related issues, public health issues, social and economic issues, evidence based policies, fighting stigma, reducing risk of blood-borne viruses (BBVs), safe rights of sex workers etc. (this list is not exhaustive).
Harm reduction is self explanatory in its title and can relate to anything that is harmful to the individual or the community in general. Its core is firmly based in practical rather than idealistic beliefs. Harm reduction (harm minimisation) can also be used in relation to human behaviours and actions towards either themselves or other human beings.
Some of the issues addressed by the…
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Soul Destruction 
Thanks again Ruth. I feel there is so much to be said and this just touches the tip of the iceberg.
Thank you for such a great interview. Have you considered writing a book? I would definitely like to read it!