Harm reduction is increasingly becoming the preferred approach when working with substance users as we recognize that abstinence is only one possible goal on a larger, more realistic continuum. However, while many of us know “our politics” around harm reduction, it can be useful to collectively reflect on how we define problem substance use (“addiction”) and build a framework to understand the context of drug and alcohol use in our communities.

International visiting scholar, Rahim Thawer, will discuss the multiple functions of drugs and alcohol in our lives and consider when use is a problem and when is it not. He will also draw on the ABC model (activator-behaviour-consequence) derived from Structured Relapse Prevention (published by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health – Toronto) to explore what specific harm reduction strategies can look like before, during, and after use.

Join in the conversation

Join The Practice Dialogue Workshop Series with Rahim Thawer and SACAP’s Social Work and Community Development Faculty. RSVP here to join us on 10 March 2022 from 18:00.