A harm minimisation approach does not condone harmful or illegal drug use. The most effective way to minimise harm from drugs is not to use them. The harm minimisation approach does recognise that where eliminating high-risk behaviours is not possible, it remains important to minimise the personal, social and economic costs associated with those behaviours. Harm minimisation encompasses a wide range of approaches, including abstinence-oriented strategies and initiatives for people who use drugs. It also considers the impact of the illegal status of some drugs on the people who use them. .
