Ethical Standing of the Needle Exchange Program
We must implement a harm reduction needle exchange program in the Durham Region because it is ethical and practical, even under our repressive control drug policy framework. Firstly, harm reduction through needle exchange is ethically responsible and should be embedded within the nation’s healthcare framework because it is effective and adheres to the “principles of autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice” (Vearrier, 2019, p. 119). In other words, the provided evidence supports the premise that such a program respects the autonomy of those it serves while minimizing harm and promoting the welfare of all involved. Thus, it is clear that the ethical standing of the needle exchange program is solid and strong.
Community Support for the Program
Secondly, I firmly believe that our community will support the program, and my conviction is based on evidence. The vast majority of community members, especially community pharmacists, are almost always willing to support a harm-reduction needle exchange program by providing clean needles and syringes (Goodin et al., 2018). The latter statement indicates that there is potential for widespread local support for the program, which is essential for its successful implementation. In essence, the program’s success is closely tied to community engagement and support.
Assessing Outcomes Under a Repressive Drug Policy Regime
Thirdly, we should not wait for additional policy changes to be implemented, which could support the program. Harm reduction can be effectively achieved through a needle exchange program in creating a drug-free society, even under a repressive control drug policy framework, which further shows its effectiveness (Karlsson et al., 2021). One should be aware that the current policies in Canada are not particularly favorable to harm reduction strategies. Thus, despite this framework, the program can still provide significant benefits.
Importance of Provider and Community Support
However, although there is no need for policy-based support, community engagement is of paramount importance. Evidence suggests that harm reduction through needle exchange programs is ineffective without the support of providers and the community, as well as engagement (Resiak et al., 2021). The latter means that without the active participation and support of the community, the program may not reach its full potential. As a result, we must ensure that our pharmacists, businesses, and people want the program to be implemented.
Trust Among the Target Population
Moreover, we need to ensure that the target population is aware of the program and trusts its organizers. Implementing a program that yields positive results is not effective if there is no trust among people who inject drugs, since there is “a tendency for trusted information to be attained through word-of-mouth and informal means” (Seaman et al., 2021, p. 1337). In other words, a properly funded and managed campaign is needed to raise awareness and build trust. Therefore, both the community and the target population must support the program.
References
Goodin, A., Fallin-Bennett, A., Green, T., & Freeman, P. R. (2018). Pharmacists’ role in harm reduction: A survey assessment of Kentucky community pharmacists’ willingness to participate in syringe/needle exchange. Harm Reduction Journal, 15(4). Web.
Karlsson, N., Berglund, T., Ekström, A. M., Hammarberg, A., & Tammi, T. (2021). Could 30 years of political controversy on needle exchange programmes in Sweden contribute to scaling-up harm reduction services in the world? Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 38(1), 66-88. Web.
Resiak, D., Mpofu, E., & Rothwell, R. (2021). Sustainable harm reduction needle and syringe programs for people who inject drugs: A scoping review of their implementation qualities. Sustainability, 13(5), 2834. Web.
Seaman, A., Leichtling, G., Stack, E., Gray, M., Pope, J., Larsen, J. E., Leahy, J. M., Gelberg, L., & Korthuis, P. T. (2021). Harm reduction and adaptations among PWUD in rural Oregon during COVID-19. AIDS and Behavior, 25, 1331-1339. Web.
Vearrier, L. (2019). The value of harm reduction for injection drug use: A clinical and public health ethics analysis. Disease-a-Month, 65(5), 119-141. Web.