By Greg Denham

I have worked in the law enforcement field for over twenty five years, and a significant part of my work has been in the drug policy area. I have come to the conclusion that harm reduction services, particularly needle and syringe programs, are an essential component of a comprehensive strategy designed to reduce drug related harm in communities.

This view, however, is not always shared openly by other police. Privately, while many police officers accept that harm reduction services are important, their attitude is more likely to condemn than condone.