Harm reduction: An approach to reducing risky health behaviors in adolescents

Question 1

What is harm reduction?

Answer 1

A strategy directed toward individuals or groups that aims to reduce the harms associated with certain behaviours not the actual behavior

Question 2

What is the prevalence of alcohol use in high school students in Ontario?

Answer 2

2/3 of students

Question 3

What is the prevalence of cannabis use in high school students in Ontario

Answer 3

1/3 of students

Question 4

What percentage of teens reported that using drugs or alcohol was the reason that they had intercourse for the first time?

Answer 4

8-10%

Question 5

What is the median age of first intercourse?

Answer 5

17yo

Question 6

What percentage of boys and girls in grade 9 have had oral sex?

Answer 6

30%

Question 7

What are the possible approached to substance use and other risky behaviors?

Answer 7

1. Discourage the behavior (abstinence)
2. Encourage reduction of the behavior
3. Provide with information aimed at reducing the harmful consequences of the behavior when it occurs

Question 8

Are abstinence programs successful in reducing substance use?

Answer 8

No

Question 9

What are some examples of primary prevention harm reduction policies in schools?

Answer 9

1. AMPS (Alcohol Misuse Prevention Study) in US

2. SHAHRP (School Health and Alcohol Harm Reduction Program) in Australia

Question 10

What are examples of motivational interviewing techniques?

Answer 10

1. Open-ended questions
2. Reflective listening
3. Affirmations
4. Summary statements
5. Eliciting change talk

Question 11

What are examples of harm reduction policies?

Answer 11

1. Condom machines in schools
2. Seat belts
3. Helmet use
4. Protective gear in sports
5. Sun screen
6. Safe needle injection sites
7. Contraception education

Question 12

What are CPS recommendations?

Answer 12

1. Screen all preadolescent and adolescent patients for potentially risky behaviours at regular health care visits.
2. Provide messages that encourage delay in initiation of potentially risky behaviours, and at the same time, promote risk-reduction strategies if adolescents choose to engage or are already engaging in the behaviour.
3. Use principles of motivational interviewing in the assessment and discussion of risky health behaviours with adolescent patients.
4. Become familiar with the resources in their communities that provide harm reduction programs for substance abuse, pregnancy prevention and injury prevention.
5. Advocate for the introduction, further development and evaluation of evidence-based prevention and treatment programs that use a harm reduction philosophy in schools and communities.