Aids In Canada

             The destruction of Aboriginal culture by European colonialists had a deep, de-moralizing effect on their people. Many Aboriginals also endured physical and sexual abuse after being sent to residential schools for assimilation purposes. Presently, there are much higher incidences of substance abuse and sexual violence within their population than national averages, increasing their odds yet again of becoming infected with the virus. In addition, health services provided for Aboriginals on reserves is often not equal to the level of care Non-Aboriginals receive. Community leaders need to rally together and demand that the federal government provide a more comprehensive, culturally sensitive outreach program emphasizing the importance of condoms, HIV testing and addiction counseling because without it, HIV infection rates will only continue to rise.
             Drug injection users are a second group who could be best served by an outreach program. It was only recently that Canadian society realized their addiction to heroin was a health condition rather than a criminal act. In 1998, approximately 28% of all new HIV infections reported were transmitted through injection drug use, compared to 19% in 1997 (Health Canada, May 1999). Government policies banning needle exchange programs and safe injection facilities were eventually lifted during this same year. The federal government endorsed a term, which was coined "harm reduction" .
             Allard 3.
             It was a philosophy and a practice that minimizes harm and increases the health and quality of life of the individual. It recognizes that each individual is the expert on his or her life. Harm reduction respects the individual's decisions regarding their personal health and endeavors to minimize any harm resulting from those decisions to the individual, their family and/or, caregivers and the larger community. It can be defined as follows: .