Health and Harm Reduction: Rethinking Conventional Drug Use and Policy | Jeffrey Hom | TEDxUSciences

Jeffrey, a policy advisor for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, is an advocate and force between safe injection sites in Philadelphia, one of the first in the nation. Through his talk, Jeffrey suggests a controversial solution to the opioid crisis that’s as simple as changing attitudes. Jeffrey Hom is a policy advisor in the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, where he provides guidance to the Health Commissioner on programs and policies related to the wellbeing of all Philadelphians. His present focus is on substance use, in particular issues around access to treatment and overdose prevention. He is also a board-certified internist and cares for patients at the Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia.

[andrzejcelinski]

Thank you for the lifeguard example. Seatbelts, helmets, condoms and clean syringes are all harm reduction. Its just common sense. Thank you kindly. Once people get past all the hateful messaging and imagery that has been perpetuated about people who use drugs, a harm reduction aporoach becomes blatantly obvious, necessary and imperative. Thank you for your contributions to this discussion and field of work.

[aaronwatter]

The biggest flaw of harm reduction (and of decriminalization generally) is that it does not account for the majority of people who use drugs, including opioids. Most of these people neither use every day, nor inject. The safe injection site does not capture this group. Harm reduction & decriminalization are positive but ultimately inadequate responses. What would really help is access to a safe drug supply, i.e. legalized regulation.

[Shellpooh]

Thank you Jesus someone talking about it

[rosebud]

How about a safe supply system like in Vancouver B.C.?
Fewer access to opiates send too many to fentanyl.
Thanks for your work.

[christytanner]

What about the percentage of addicts? Did it increase or decrease?

[atorbubble]

yeah... swiming, heavy addiction to hard drugs. same thing

[kristytucker]

we have numbers on decreased deaths, but how many of those people are in recovery?

[deborahvictoriaedwards]

When the addicted are cash poor, harm reduction...

[catowarmeowson]

*injects deadly chemicals* *dies* *stocked pokemon face*

[michaelhmiles]

Disappointing Ted talk. I Agree with harm reduction but a lot of misinformation here. Quoting flawed CDC overdose stats? 65, 000 is for ALL drugs, polypharmacy, mixing with alcohol etc. not just opioids.
Conflates dependence with addiction. Come on this is
basic stuff. Shameful.