Dilemmas in harm minimization

Abstract

This paper discusses the dilemmas inherent in pursuing a philosophy of (drug) harm minimization. The dilemmas arise (i) because all drug control policies produce harms as well as benefits; (ii) because many of these harms and benefits cannot be measured; and (iii) because even when they can be measured, judgements about what harms matter the most are irreducibly political. The paper concludes by proposing that the interests of drug policy might be better served if we abandoned the idea of an overarching goal in favour of a set of goals dealing with specific identifiable problems.

Engaging the Values‐based Ethical Dilemmas in Harm Minimization: A Response to Weatherburn

“…Weatherburn's debate piece [1] considers how we should respond to dilemmas in harm minimization policy and practice-a question of central importance. Until recently, however, it has occupied less attention than matters of evidence and the quest for measurable outcomes in this field.…”

“…and 'What principle should we adopt to make such decisions?' [1]. Weatherburn argues that such dilemmas are encountered in harm minimization because of: (i) the co-occurrence of harms and benefits in most harm minimization interventions; (ii) difficulties in measuring and comparing harms and benefits; and (iii) the 'irreducibly political' nature of judgements about which harms matter most.…”

“…harm minimization as a drug policy goal) [1]. The author's argument that the measurement problems in harm minimization render it ineffective as a guiding principle for drug policy relies heavily upon his 'goal-oriented' version of harm minimization that is rooted in (or requiring) empirical outcomes.…”

Drug policy, harm and human rights: A rationalist approach

“…In her response to Weatherburn (2009a), van Beek accepts that drug related harms may not be directly comparable, but writes that we still need an 'overarching principle' to inform us what the goals of drug policy should be (Van Beek, 2009: 342). As Weatherburn (2009b) points out, she does not tell us what this principle is.…”

“…It then applies this hierarchy to policy issues such as the right to use drugs and the rights of drug 'addicts'. Finally, it applies this approach to a specific drug policy scenario that Weatherburn (2009a) presents as an irresolvable dilemma.…”