A non-profit group has kicked off today the first ever 4-day virtual harm reduction summit in the country in a bid to come up with a more responsive and sustainable strategies that will help Filipinos confronted with substance abuse problems lower the risks posed by their prolonged drug use.
Ma. Inez Feria, founder and director of the NoBox Philippines, said that the Philippine Harm Reduction Summit which carries the theme Rethink. Reshape, Reimagine, will gather experts from various disciplines, not only in the country but also from other countries, to tackle the ill-effects of drug abuse and programs to minimize the harm it causes.
Feria said that Harm Reduction is endorsed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as a “pathway to effective and humane drug policy.”
She added that Harm Reduction is accepted as “a framework that promotes health, safety, and well being among persons whose lives include drugs, their families, and their communities.
Feria said this is now the perfect time to explore the approach and rethink, reshape, and reimagine what it can look like in the Filipino context.”
Among the highlights to be deliberated during the online summit are community-based programs, programs specific to shabu use, drug education, harm reduction psychotherapy and law enforcement diversion programs.
NoBox Philippines, which is a non-profit organization espousing a drug policy reform, has partnered with StreetLawPH, IDUCare, Institute of Politics and Governance (IPG), ACHIEVE, ASCORP, and Airmeet in holding the first ever summit on harm reduction.
To those who want to participate in the summit, contact Aileen at [email protected] or 0995-510-1970 or email NoBox at [email protected].