Three Pillars of Harm Minimisation

The Building Trades Group and Foundation House support the Three Pillars of Harm Minimisation, as set out in the National Drug Strategy 2017-2026

These three pillars are designed to:

  • Reduce supply,

  • Reduce demand, and

  • Reduce harm to workers and their families.

The aim is to build safe and healthy Australian work sites and communities through preventing and minimising alcohol, tobacco and other drug-related health, social and financial harm among workers.

These three pillars, or harm minimisation strategies, provide a realistic and balanced approach to alcohol and other drug use.

Demand Reduction

Preventing the update and/or delaying the onset of use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; reducing the misuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in the community; and supporting people to recover from dependence through evidence-informed treatment.

Supply Reduction

Preventing, stopping, disrupting or otherwise reducing the production and supply of illegal drugs; and controlling, managing and/or regulating the availability of legal drugs.

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Harm Reduction

Reducing the adverse health, social and economic consequences of the use of drugs, for the user, their families and the wider community.

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This strategy, and these three pillars, underpin the strategic principles of The Building Trades Group and our approach to supporting workers. The Building Trades Group works within this framework in a Best Practice manner and in our partnerships and collaborations, our national direction, and our evidence-informed responses.