Critiques of harm reduction, morality and the promise of human rights

This commentary critically reviews recent criticisms of harm reduction which argue that ideological limitations and a reluctance to express moral commitments are major factors preventing it from developing its full potential. It argues that, rather than a paradigm which is failing to live up to underlying ideals of freedom and human rights, harm reduction is better viewed as an assemblage of practices and goals with varied outcomes. Moreover, its professed value-neutrality can itself be seen as a powerful intervention in the moralised arena of drug debate. The commentary also suggests that the discourse of human rights may not be politically efficacious in the arena of drug use and suggests another ethical perspective based on open-ended debate, practices of freedom and a respect for difference.