So what do you think about the harm reduction approach to public health that's making waves in the nursing and health care community?

Do you think that focusing on mitigating the risks inherent in risky behavior is an effective approach?

Or do you think that programs like giving free condoms to students to prevent STD & HIV spread promotes the risky behaviour?

Do you think that all harm reduction approaches are wrong-headed or do you think that some are okay (like condom distribution, designated driver programs) versus others like safe injection sites, crack pipe programs or methadone programs?

I really don't think it is that simple. I do not agree with passing out condoms in schools. It is not the schools responsibility to make that decsion. It is mine.. the parent. If more parents were more involved in their childrens lives then I think the kids are less likely to be involved in risky behaviors. It is passing the buck when the school has to do the teaching instead of the parents; especially when you consider the school education system in many areas. They are not quite up to par. I am all for sex eduacation and health class. The school could teach where to find the resources the kids need and so on. But to actually distribute condoms, I think, is not ok. The issue should be on teaching (STD, HIV, pregnancy, etc) and giving the necessary resources they need. That is the same for the clean needles. It is saying to them to go ahead and keep getting high and I will give you the ability to keep doing it. I know everyone is for health wellness and prevention but to give needles to addicts is absurd. That is like going along with a schizophrenic and their delusions or whatever. That will not help them function in the world nor would it promote the safety of the community. They need help with recovery not the means to continue.

lenix said:

While I agree with you in principle, ctrum, the plain truth is the the reason kids are getting hooked on drugs or pregnant is because their parents dropped the ball with regard to their responsibility to their kids. So the question becomes do we want SOMEONE (say, at the school) to care what happens to the kids, or do we stick our heads in the sand and hide behind "...it's not my responsibility..."

My hubby is principal of a Title I school and sees lack of parental responsibility every dang day, 100 times a day, so I kinda have a ringside perspective on this.

Just because we may pass out condoms at the health clinic at school or in the community doesn't mean that all kids are going to have sex. I see it as the ones who are going to have sex have a better chance of having safe sex.

I don't agree with that statement. They are going to do it anyway.. so what. Who are we actually protecting when distrubuting needles. The people who use? I am not around those people who use; I am the one taking care of them in the hospital. It is our responsibiltiy to help them stop doing drugs. How is the community at risk if they do not use? We are the educators in the community, we are the ones that steer them in the right direction in getting the help they need. It seems as if it is health promotion for one group and not the other. So because it protects the non drug users it is ok to give them needles and let them do as they will because...they will do it anyway. It is easier to protect the community than to help the user. I just don't think it is right in the moral or ethical sense. And with the condoms, again I do not agree. They are children and we are going to just give them condoms because..they will do it anyway. Why do they have to be given condoms. Wouldn't it be better to teach them the places they can go to get them if they desire? Teach them safe sex practices, abstince, health promotion. There are, I think, better ways to deal with these situations than to just let them go because they will. I would hope my children would come to me about questions and answers instead of just going to school and receiving condoms.

applause jendorphins. The conservative side to this health care issue always amazes me. For the life of me I just can't understand the rationale for hindering children's ability to protect themselves from disease and unintended pregnancy.

I am not just saying that because these drugs are illegal that is the end if the conversation. I am saying that in order to protect them (and the community in the process) giving them the supplies and the means is not the answer. Enabling someone to continue the current path does not add up to me. Rehab clinics and education is the key to this problem. I know there is a diffenrence of opinion and I am just stating mine. This is where I stand on both. I am a parent and I will not have my child open to the distribution to comdoms. I will however have the talk with him and teach him safety measures. I've made my mistakes as a teen and I know that there is peer pressure and things like that. But both the parent and the teen need to have trust and communication in the relationship. Again showing people where they can obtain the resources (clinics, rehab, wellness groups, classes, etc) will help all. Like the story about a man who is hungary. Just giving a man a fish and not teaching him how to fish makes all the difference in the world when he is trying to eat for life.

I like the "fishadone" jendorphins. But don't you think that while he is eating the fish, he will not be listening to what others have to say to help. Instead he will only be focusing on "eating" the fish? With them shooting up, first they are going to be high and have no actual insight of reality and our message and second they wouldn't care because they are high. In rehabs, don't they give a little of the drug or something similar to help with the withdrawls? I'm not for sure because I have never worked in that setting before. But after the intial pain and withdrawl leaves then we can focus on the education and being sober aspects of the situations. That would not only help the person but also the community because that would be one less person using instead of actually supervising the act. I do like the different posts and seeing what others have to say. That is how things get changed.

When talking about distibution of condoms to children, all I'm saying is I don't want someone to give those to my child. I feel that is my choice and my job. Granted not every parent thinks that way and I understand that too. I just do not think school is the right atmosphere to do that. If I give him condoms (after teaching of course) then fine because I have that right. I don't think the school does. Besides health places, teens can get condoms just about anywhere, so why bring it into the school system. Some kids still maintain their innocense longer than others. That is one more thing thrown in their face. I t seems like we teach them not to have sex and all the risks that can from from it and then we say but here is a condom anyway. That doesn't make sense to me. I don't think I will agree on this subject because I feel strongly about both subjects. As for the needle subject, I just don't see the good coming from it. Sorry

I'm saying, in paticular, I don't want my son to be exposed to that. Secondly, with the other children, I don't think they should be exposed to that either. Again I just don't have the same mindset as others. I don't have a problem with schools showing compassion, etc. That is always a good thing. But giving condoms is not showing compassion, it is showing them it is ok to have sex. Just protect yourself. It is not ok to have sex at 12, 13, etc. And I also know that some (less than you think) will have sex. But giving them education programs, etc does not mean that schools have to give condoms out too. I know when I was younger I went to stores to get condoms. I know that many others did too. I went to an all girl private school so maybe that is why I am biased about condoms in schools. We got the education on condoms and so on, however WE took the responsibilty to get our own condoms if needed. We had one pregnant girl the entire four years and she used a condom. It wasn't given to her either. I never said the people using drugs were 'scumbags'. I don't judge people by their shortcomings or addictions. i try to look for the positive. And I don't see postive aspects coming from letting them have a safe haven to shoot up. Why don't we just make a safe haven for the children,sexually active,a safe place to do it and the condoms, that way we can supervise. that would also help the community prevent the spread of HIV, hep virus, and other STDs! Win win situation right?

I don't know why that went all strikethrough. It's not meant to be...

I believe in the 70's there was a push for needle exchange. I did not work!
Since the DARE program was inciated the only thing that has increased is drug usage amongst kids. Reason, curiosity was created.
Sex education was iniciated in the schools and what we have now is a near epidemic of teen pregnancies.
Years ago homes had a mom to care for kids and dad brought in the bacon. Kids knew their place, had chores to do and were taught respect. Today it takes 2 incomes to make it, kids come home to empty homes and TV dinners. Kids do not respect the parent or any adult for that matter, kids seek affection in all the wrong places because the home life is lacking in that area. Years ago you knew what was comming your way if you violated a rule. today a parent can not look cross eyed at their kids much less get their attention from the bottom up. Our society has created the individuals that compose it. The pendulum swings equally in the oppsite direction. I sure would have to have to raise my kids in today's world.

Also, most major Canadian cities have needle exchange programs and methadone programs with success in terms of lowering eventual health care costs and facilitating users movement to treatment and to social programs for housing, food and employment all of which in turn lower health care costs. My personal belief: society gets much further with drug abuse by treating it as a public health issue rather than a crime issue. I'm glad we've moved away from a society where kids "knew their place" and were shamed into good behaviour. Kids today have the ability to make the right decision but only if they are given all of the information. We can't assume their parents are going to do that.

We have a responsibility as parents to snoop - the parents who don't are the ones whose kids are in the worst s***. They either are so wrapped up in there own issues they don't or can't care about their kids' issues or they just plain can't deal with it. So, it falls to the schools, where the kids spend the majority of their time other than the home (hopefully) to take on the responsibilities some parents abdicate, so those kids at least have someone they can turn to, besides gangs/drugs/sex...