Harm Reduction Works

This website supports the harm reduction works campaign materials. The campaign was developed by Exchange Supplies for the National Treatment Agency as part of the implementation of the Department of Health publication Reducing Drug Related Harm: An Action Plan. The plan commits to reducing the burden of illness and death caused by illicit drug use through improved surveillance of service provision, improved delivery of harm reduction services, and information campaigns aimed at drug users and drug service providers.

The campaign materials contain information about HIV; overdose prevention; Safer injecting practice; Hepatitis B and C viruses; the injection of crack cocaine; and femoral or groin injecting. They are signposted by the logos below:

An introduction to the campaigns
In May 2007 the Department of Health and NTA published Reducing Drug-Related Harm: an Action Plan. The action plan is available here.

It targets those most at risk of drug-related deaths and/or contracting blood-borne viruses and those in
contact with them, including service users, homeless drug users, heroin and crack injectors
(speedballers), potential or new injectors; and people in contact with the criminal justice system.

The range of publications available are designed for drug users, their carers, and the commissioners
and providers of drug treatment services to improve their knowledge and understanding of these
issues and how best to respond to them.

The NTA believes the publication of these materials presents a real opportunity for local partnerships and drug services to lead initiatives to improve practice, make users more aware of how best to protect themselves, and most importantly save lives.

Annette Dale-Perera
Director of Quality, National Treatment Agency