Substance Use Education in Canadian Nursing Programs: A Student Survey.

BACKGROUND: In Canada, nursing programs have not kept pace with the growing rates and changing patterns of substance use. METHOD: To get a sense of the current state of substance use education in nursing programs, we conducted a survey of nursing students. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that (a) substance use education is minimal, 1 to 5 hours (43%) or none (20%); (b) students had more working knowledge of legal and prescribed substances than illegal ones; (c) of 22 content areas deemed essential for practice, only seven were covered; (d) students were able to identify statements consistent with a harm reduction philosophy despite limited substance use education; and (e) the majority of students wrongfully believed that illegal substances are more harmful than legal substances. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that substance use education in nursing programs is largely insufficient and not keeping up with current issues. [J Nurs Educ. 2020;59(9):510-513.].

Beyond the Buzzword: A Concept Analysis of Harm Reduction.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Harm reduction is a concept that is increasingly applied in health and social care, as well as law and policy development around the world. Despite being used in a variety of contexts for decades, there is no universal understanding of harm reduction, and this may interfere with its implementation in various settings. Using Rodgers' (1989) evolutionary approach to concept analysis, this article defines the key attributes of harm reduction, along with surrogate terms, relevant uses, antecedents, consequences, related concepts, a model case, and implications for practice. METHODS: Following Rodgers' (1989) method, a literature sample from a variety of disciplines was selected using keywords. The review included 25 key publications of international origin, as well as several web-based resources, with a focus on illegal psychoactive drug use and healthcare outcomes. RESULTS: Seven key attributes of harm reduction were identified: a focus on harms, the participation of people who use drugs, the promotion of human rights, a public health approach, value neutrality and nonjudgment, practicality and pragmatism, and innovation and adaptability. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The harms associated with illegal drugs are a global health problem, and advocacy is needed to promote harm reduction policy at health provision, community, and government levels. Without a concerted understanding of harm reduction, the concept is at risk of being relegated to a buzzword that lacks meaning. This concept analysis provides health and social care providers with a point of reference for meaningful harm reduction initiatives and strategies within their practice.