We present to you the proceedings of the professional international conference entitled Harm Reduction. Application of the philosophy of risk reduction in helping professions, which took place on 19 November 2014 in the premises of the Regional Education Center in Nitra. The STORM association was the main organizer of the event.

SPEECH OF THE STATUTORY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STORM ASSOCIATION

Andrea HUGÁŇOVÁ

Dear colleagues,

we present to you the proceedings of the professional international conference entitled Harm Reduction. Application of the philosophy of risk reduction in helping professions, which took place on 19 November 2014 in the premises of the Regional Education Center in Nitra.

The STORM association, as the main organizer, systematically strives to build a tradition of open discussion meetings not only for experts from academia, but especially for experts from practice. The topic of the philosophy of risk reduction is very current and has an impact on work with many target groups in Slovakia and abroad. Despite the fact that it is primarily associated with drug use, it can also be used in many other ways. This is also proven by several contributions of workers with children, youth, students, homeless people, etc.

The STORM association has been developing programs aimed at reducing risks and damages for more than a decade. In addition to field social work with drug users and people working in the sex business, she also works with unorganized groups of children in a housing estate. At the same time, it also moved its activities to primary and secondary schools. It developed a program focused on the prevention of risky behavior among pupils and students, and is also engaged in educational activities for the public. The association thus works comprehensively in all its programs with the principles of Harm Reduction and applies them in practical life.

In the collection, the authors present their own opinions on this topic from a theoretical and practical perspective. At the same time, they encourage creative discussion and exchange of experiences from various fields. An interesting addition to the conference was also knowledge from the Czech Republic, where the philosophy of risk reduction is more established.

Professional as well as the lay public, as well as academic staff and university students in the collection, they can find a range of valuable knowledge and information about the issue, as well as inspiration for work in Slovakia.

We believe that the collection will be of benefit and interesting reading for all those who are not indifferent to the topic of Harm Reduction.

CONTENT

Speech of the statutory representative of the STORM Association Mgr. Andrea Hugáňová, PhD.

Glass or real ceiling for Harm Reduction services in Slovakia? Mgr. Tatiana Hičárová

Harm Reduction services in the context of the drug situation and their projection in the monitoring outputs of the NMCD RNDr. Imrich Šteliar

Strengths and weaknesses of Harm Reduction in the Czech Republic dr. Jiří Valnoha

Harm Reduction approach and forms of its maturation in Slovakia PhDr. Lenka Vavrinčíková PhD.

Options and limits of the Harm Reduction approach Mgr. Jana Gabrielová, PhD. – prof. MUDr. Miloš Velemínský, CSc., dr.h.c.

Institutional analysis of harm reduction services in Slovakia Mgr. Dominika Púčiková - PhDr. Lenka Vavrinčíková PhD.

From Harm Reduction services to a comprehensive system of services in the region Mgr. Petr Steklý

Children and youth under the influence Mgr. Zuzana Šťastná

Possibilities of using the Harm Reduction approach in the primary prevention of addictions Mgr. Martina Drzsíková - Mgr. Magdalena Halásová

Harm Reduction in the recreational environment of youth - 13 years of experience and new challenges Mgr. Miroslava Žilinská, MA – Bc. Martin Bartoš

A low-threshold approach to the rehabilitation of the family environment Mgr. Michal Milan – Mgr. Jana Šimončičová

Preventive activities in the area of reducing the transmission of infectious diseases through sexual contact, activities in the area of reducing stigma and discrimination of HIV+ persons Miloš Štefančík

Internship experience in Berlin Mgr. Adam Janda - Mgr. Karina Andrášiková

Engaging people who inject drugs in a syringe exchange program B.Sc. et B. Iveta Chovancová - Mgr. Miroslava Žilinská, MA

Harm reduction approach in the sex business Mgr. Olívia Strelková - Alexandra Pódová - Bc. et B. Iveta Chovancová

Using the Harm Reduction approach when working with homeless people Mgr. Martina Drzsíková

Title: Harm Reduction - Application of the philosophy of risk reduction in the helping professions Compiler: Mgr. Katarína Debnáriková, PhD. Publisher: Zdruzenie STORM Nitra, 2014 ISBN: 978-80-970667-2-7