Teresa Castro
Teresa graduated in Social Work in 2016 and is currently working as a social worker at GAT IN Mouraria in Lisbon, Portugal, a harm reduction drop-in center and drug consumption room. As a drug user herself, she has been involved in harm reduction since she was 18, initially in nightlife settings and later with more vulnerable communities. She has been a peer collaborator at Kosmicare since its foundation, an organization that offers peer-based harm reduction, drug checking, and psychological support services. Additionally, Teresa is also a member IDPC's Peer Review Group.
Session
BACKGROUND
Full-spectrum harm Reduction (FSHR) is an intersectional and human rights-based approach that seeks to address the structural, social, economic, legal, and political determinants that impact the lives and well-being of people who use drugs (PWUD). It emphasizes that harm reduction (HR) should encompass every PWUD, all substances, and all routes of use. The objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive understanding of FSHR by collecting insights into its definition, innovations, challenges, and best practices from relevant stakeholders.
METHOD:
YouthRISE administered a survey on this topic between November 29 and December 15, 2024, to HR practitioners, PWUD (including young people), peers, policy advocates, social workers, and other stakeholders. Respondents contributed with both qualitative and quantitative data through structured and open-ended questions. They were asked to define the concept of FSHR, reflect on structural and political factors that impact the implementation of FSHR efforts, and express inclusivity gaps in creating FSHR services. The answers were analyzed and mapped into seven themes that exemplified how the participants perceive FSHR.
RESULTS:
A total of 59 respondents completed the survey. Of the total, 57,1% were based in the Global South and 43,9% in the Global North.
While in certain topics noticeable differences were revealed when comparing the answers from Global South to Global North respondents, in others it was clear how both manifest many common interpretations, perspectives, beliefs, attitudes, and obstacles.
The main findings identified regarding its importance for the practical application of FSHR were: incorporation of marginalized populations, addressing the social determinants of health, empowerment of PWUD, and the importance of adapting HR strategies to diverse cultural, economic, and regional contexts.
The survey also revealed innovative FSHR practices, such as gender-specific drug consumption rooms, youth-focused initiatives, development of digital platforms, interventions addressing chemsex, and integration of HR in reproductive health services.
IMPLICATIONS:
By providing actionable recommendations to promote the adoption of FSHR principles and practices worldwide, the results of this study emphasize the need for increased funding for HR initiatives, policy reforms, global knowledge exchange, development of training on FSHR best practices, and improvement of HR worker’s well-being to scale up FSHR. Inclusive and comprehensive approaches and strategies are pivotal for enhancing health outcomes and promoting social justice, equity, the agency of PWUD, and therefore advancing FSHR.