Harm Reduction

Prevention and intervention strategies targeting the drinking patterns of individuals are becoming increasingly widespread. Among these are harm reduction measures, which acknowledge that some patterns of alcohol consumption are compatible with a healthy lifestyle and may enhance individual and societal well being. At the same time, the approach also recognizes that other patterns of drinking, especially those that are reckless and excessive, have the potential to cause considerable harm.

• Key Facts and Issues
• Further Resources
• Targeted Interventions (410 KB .pdf)
• IHRA Launches New Alcohol Harm Reduction Website and Network
• Harm Reduction and its Application to Alcohol Policy - Special Issue of the International Journal of Drug Policy

ICAP Blue Book
Practical Guides for Alcohol Policy
and Prevention Approaches

The ICAP Blue Book offers a comprehensive guide to the key issues in alcohol policy development, and an integrated approach to prevention. It draws upon the best available research and experience from around the world.

As a policy guide, the ICAP Blue Book is based on three principles:

drinking patterns and their outcomes as a sound scientific basis for policy development;

targeted interventions that address specific "at-risk" populations, potentially harmful contexts and drinking patterns;

partnerships that allow the inclusion of the public and private sectors, the community and civil society all working towards a common goal.

It is intended as a tool to assist those seeking guidance in developing policy and prevention approaches, be they governments, intergovernmental organizations, public health officials and specialists, researchers, non-governmental organizations, the beverage alcohol industry and its related bodies, or civil society organizations interested in alcohol policy development.

Click here for the entire ICAP Blue Book.