Obviously, treatment can't be the only solution. People have a wide range of needs and different substance use journeys. They may face delays or barriers in accessing services, or they may not be ready. Meanwhile, harm reduction strategies are needed to protect them; provide a safe environment; and reduce the risk of death, infection or various complications.
Addiction should be likened to a chronic disease. It sometimes takes several attempts at rehabilitation and treatment, as well as several relapses, before a person can recover. During these relapses, harm reduction strategies are needed.
Moreover, in terms of treatment, no substance or pharmacological option can replace all the drugs currently on the market.
Under these conditions, it can be much harder for some people to access treatment or stop using. They have few alternatives, so we need to protect them.
One public health mandate is to protect the health of the entire population. As a result, these people must also be protected. We can't expect all drug users to seek treatment at the same time.