The Influence of Communication on Harm Reduction for People Who Use Drugs (PWUDs): the Case of Regional HIV and Harm Reduction Programme

Abstract

With increasing narcotic drug use globally and in East Africa, harm reduction in relation to drug use is quickly gaining ground as an alternative to addressing and managing the drug use problem. The overall objective of the study was to investigate the role of Communication in the Uptake of Harm Reduction in the case of the East African Harm Reduction Project ( EAHRP). The specific objectives were to; study what information was shared under the EAHRP project, study how the messages were packaged and disseminated and how communication influenced the uptake of harm reduction in the region. The target study population were individuals who use /used drugs and were beneficiaries of the project interventions and key informants involved in implementing the project. The study employed the Diffusion of Innovation Theory and An Interactional Approach to Narcotic Addiction Model. The objectives would be met by adopting the research design of a case study where qualitative data would be collected by rigorously interviewing select participants and key informants drawn from stakeholders involved in the project. Content review of select communication products was also be carried out. The analysis of the obtained information revealed that harm reduction messages revolved around supporting rather than punishing People Who Use Drugs (PWUDs), viewing drug use as a disease rather than a crime. The data generally pointed to inadequacies of the traditional punitive responses to drug use recommending harm-reduction as a more effective approach to redress drug use. The study discovered that communication is critical in such a project and should be considered as one of the prerequisites for success in future projects.