Changing our perceptions and conceptions of persons who inject drugs
This article presents a theoretical reflection on particular characteristics of persons who inject drugs (PWID) that can lead to the broadening of the social response beyond a simple identification of biomedical “risk factors” and consequent biomedical interventions. This article proposes to redirect the prevailing viewpoint of PWID as persons “at risk” to persons who are “vulnerable”, “suffering”, “victims of social discrimination and inequality” and who are “evolving”. Analysis of the mobilizing strengths as well as the limits of these conceptualizations are also presented. This paper posits that the quality of our response to the social problems of PWID will depend on our ability to conceive our actions beyond the sanitary approach, which principally focuses on biological risks and disease prevention. More specifically, it is critical to consider the individual as a constantly evolving person with his or her own personal goals. This perspective circumvents reductionist institutional thinking and opens the door to more humane social responses. In a society that claims social justice, equity and solidarity, it is crucial to actually facilitate these social conditions. For PWID, this involves developing new spaces for harm reduction approaches as well as health care and facilitating social integration via work and housing programs. It also involves providing social forums where these persons can be heard and where their singular strengths and aspirations can be recognised without resorting to readymade interventions, prejudices and stereotypes.