New Alcohol Harm Reduction Website and Network

 The International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) is pleased to announce the launch of a new website dedicated to the topic of alcohol harm reduction – www.ihra.net/alcohol. The website aims to be a central source for information on this developing topic – including key events, publications, resources, contacts, and details of IHRA’s work in this field. The website will also be the home for IHRA’s new ‘Global Alcohol Harm Reduction Network’ (GAHR-Net).

Drinking alcohol brings health, personal, cultural and social benefits for many people around the world – yet also causes significant mental, physical and social harms. In the last 20 years there has developed an increasing interest in alcohol harm reduction interventions. These tend to focus on particular risk behaviours (such as drinking and driving, binge drinking), particular risk groups (such as pregnant women, young people) and particular drinking contexts (such as bars and clubs). These approaches have also broadened the sphere of interest in alcohol-related harms to include social nuisance and public order problems.

In 2004, IHRA made a strategic decision to expand its focus from illegal drugs towards ‘all psychoactive substances’ - including alcohol - in recognition of the need for new developments and ideas in the alcohol field. Since then, IHRA has campaigned to seek acceptance for alcohol harm reduction from national governments, local agencies and international organisations. This new website and network are part of IHRA’s 2007 ‘Alcohol Strategy’.

  Click here to view the new IHRA Alcohol Harm Reduction website 

  Click here to join GAHR-Net