Explain harm minimisation with an example related to alcohol use.

• A. Reducing harm without requiring abstinence; example: choosing not to drive after drinking and drinking water between drinks
• B. Forcing abstinence from alcohol
• C. Encouraging heavy drinking to 'get it out of your system'
• D. Ignoring risks

Answer: (A)

Harm minimisation focuses on reducing the risks and negative consequences of alcohol use by allowing people to drink while taking practical steps to stay safer. It recognises that many people will choose to drink, so the goal is to lower harm—such as injuries, accidents, or dehydration—without requiring abstinence. An example is choosing not to drive after drinking and drinking water between drinks. Not driving removes the main risk of alcohol-related crashes, while drinking water between drinks helps with hydration and can help pace consumption, making it easier to keep safer while still choosing to drink. Other harm-reduction strategies include arranging a designated driver or planning safe transport home. This approach contrasts with abstinence-focused methods, which require stopping all alcohol, and with strategies that promote risky behavior or ignore risks, which do not reduce harm.