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Introduction
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Selection Process
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If You Only Read One Paper...
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Acknowledgements
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Sub- Categories
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Introduction
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With this project, the International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) aims to identify and collect approximately 50 documents that provide the best information on the subject of policing and harm reduction for illict drugs. This will create a thorough and broad information base on this topic, with papers representative of a range of sub-topics and research and papers from around the world. This project is one of a number of '50 Best Collections' commissioned by IHRA.
Harm reduction policies and interventions are those which aim to reduce the health, social and economic harms associated with the use of psychoactive substances. This approach does not necessarily aim to reduce the demand, supply or consumption of drugs, although it can effectively complement those interventions that do. Harm reduction programs seek collaboration with entire communities, and law enforcement personnel are essential front-line workers when it comes to any interventions for drug users (both as a result of acquisitive, drug-related crimes and the criminalisation of drug use itself). Police officers are often in contact with drug users when they are at their most vulnerable. As such, they have a key role to play in harm reduction best (and worst) practice.
Across the world, law enforcement agencies have been actively involved in research and practice that reflects the overall spirit of harm reduction. Paradoxically, there is also a wealth of research demonstrating how irresponsible or inappropriate policing, drug law enforcement and "crackdowns" on drug using communities can actually increase drug-related harms. The continuous education, motivation and sensitisation of law enforcement officials, alongside the promotion of best practice, are essential to the development and success of harm reducing schemes.
This set of documents is intended for everybody involved in advocating for policing policies and practice that are conducive to harm reduction. These documents may be used to improve the advocacy process, plan new strategies and interventions, justify, improve or evaluate existing strategies and interventions, or conduct further research in this field. This collection is intended to benefit policy makers, practitioners, communities, law enforcement officers, and researchers around the world. The collection is periodically reviewed, so please contact us with any feedback or suggestions.
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Selection Process
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In an extensive search process from September 2005 to January 2007, papers were located from database searches, Internet searches, the libraries at both DrugScope (UK) and the University of South Dakota (USA), contacts provided by IHRA and various websites such as IHRA, the Asian Harm Reduction Network and the Drug Policy Alliance. There was also a call for articles on the IHRA website.
Efforts were made to balance scientific papers with commentaries, policy documents and guidelines. Consideration was also given to avoid long and complex documents (to ease understanding and potential translation) or those that would be hard to obtain in electronic form (for the website). Papers were preferred if they were recent, brief, readable, accredited by an international or national organisation, published as a paper in a high impact factor journal, and/or scientifically rigorous. This was not an attempt to compile a scientific evidence base.
An International Reference Panel of experts was established to ensure that the selected documents were of a high standard and reflected global perspectives.
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If You Only Read One Paper...
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This paper, although focusing on the situation in Canada, provides a succinct and useful summary of the negative consequences that police actions can have on risk behaviour and drug-related harms – thus demonstrating the need for police to embrace the harm reduction approach in their work. The paper also includes several recommendations for the Canadian police which cover many of the issues and interventions discussed in this “50 Best Collection”.
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Csete J (2007) Do Not Cross: Policing and HIV Risk Faced by People Who Use Drugs. Toronto: Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network.
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Acknowledgements
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This collection was put together on behalf of IHRA by Dr. Dwight Vick and Amy Beckius-Johnson from the University of South Dakota, and Jamie Bridge (IHRA Communications and Project Development Officer).
Particular thanks must also go to the International Reference Panel:
David Best
Hannah Cooper
Gerry Stimson
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We would also like to acknowledge the following:
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- Asia Regional HIV/AIDS Project (www.arhp.org.vn)
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- Asian Harm Reduction Network (www.ahrn.net)
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- Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (http://www.scottish.police.uk/main/acpos)
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- Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (www.adca.org.au)
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- Australian Institute of Criminology (www.aic.gov.au)
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- Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (www.ccsa.ca)
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- Canadian Medical Association Journal (http://www.cmaj.ca)
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- Centre for Innovative Public Policies (www.cipp.org)
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- Drug Policy Alliance (www.drugpolicy.org)
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- Drug Prevention Advisory Service
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- Human Rights Watch (www.hrw.org)
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- Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) (http://www.ipcc.gov.uk)
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- John Wiley & Sons Ltd (www.wiley.com)
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- Joseph Rowntree Foundation (www.jrf.org.uk)
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- LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (www.leap.cc)
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- NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics Research (www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/bocsar)
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- Pivot Legal Society (www.pivotlegal.org)
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- UKHRA (UK Harm Reduction Alliance) (www.ukhra.org)
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Sub-Categories
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In total there are over 40 papers in this collection, and these have been divided into six sections. To view the documents in each section, as well as a description of the section itself, please click the below link.
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Click here to view Sub-Categories
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