Harm Minimisation and Pharmacy

Harm Minimisation aims to address alcohol and other drug issues by reducing the harmful effects on individuals and society. Harm Minimisation has been a key policy of Australian state and federal governments since the 1985 National Campaign Against Drug Abuse and the subsequent National Drug Strategy.

The Harm Minimisation approach recognises that drug use is complex and thus, people who use drugs should be supported to progressively reduce harms to themselves and the wider community.

This approach involves:

• Reducing the supply of drugs
• Reducing the demand for drugs
• Reducing the harm from drugs