National workshop on harm reduction

HAARP says law enforcement officials must understand harm reduction principles in order for critical HIV programmes to be implemented effectively
Police call on the government to offer clearer guidance in order to mitigate conflict between harm reduction principles and crime reduction efforts KHANA reports
April 27-29 saw The National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) host a national workshop on “Harm Reduction in Cambodia”.
Feedback from the session will be integrated into HAARP Cambodia’s soon to be implemented National Harm Reduction Training Curriculum for law enforcement officials. Once the course is approved and endorsed by NACD, the final curriculum will be integrated into all existing police training programs in Cambodia.
The National Workshop follows a series of reports which suggest that harm reduction policies are being hindered that suggest drug control policies. Specifically the Commune/Sangkat Safety Policy Guideline. With 25% of all drug users in Cambodia HIV positive, it is critical that effective harm reduction programmes, needle and syringe programmes and prevention education initiatives can be implemented in cooperation with local authorities.

Attended by over 200 participants, the three-day workshop included; a snapshot of the current state of illicit drug use in Cambodia and the region; a review of the application of harm reduction concepts, policies and practices in Cambodia; an examination of the role of law enforcement in implementing harm reduction programmes; a discussion of how to reconcile drug control and harm reduction objectives in Cambodia; and the development of gender specific priorities for a national harm reduction programme.
For further reading click the following highlights:

- KHANA’s ‘Weekly Highlight’ contains a piece focused on the challenges faced by police.
- The HIV/AIDS Asia Regional Program’s (HAARP) report stresses the need for Cambodian law enforcement officials to understand the concept of harm reduction so that an enabling environment can be created to support implementation of the harm reduction program on the ground.
- HACC event report