This site is an AIVL Education Program project. Harm Minimisation is the official policy underpinning national and state health strategies, such as the National Hepatitis C Strategy 2005-2008 and the National Drug Strategy 2004 - 2009.

Harm Minimisation and Harm Reduction are terms at the core of Hep C prevention. The terms are not the same and it's important to understand the difference between them. In this context, the 'harm' highlighted by these terms relates to consequences associated with drug use, which can include infection with blood-borne viruses such as Hep C and HIV/AIDS.

Within the Harm Minimisation framework, there are 3 principles or streams: Supply Reduction, Demand Reduction and Harm Reduction.

Supply Reduction aims to disrupt production and distribution of illicit drugs through government endeavours like customs and policing.

Demand Reduction means reducing the demand for, and the uptake of harmful drug use through programmes like drug education in schools and drug treatment.

Harm Reduction is about reducing drug-related harm in the community.

Harm reduction is a philosophy or approach that focuses on reducing the harm associated with potentially risky activities.

Harm reduction is a pragmatic approach that recognises the reality that drug use exists. The harm reduction philosophy acknowledges that it can be more effective for individuals and communities to reduce the harms associated with drug use.