Harm Reduction Energy - Original Artwork

by Farid De La Ossa Arrieta

     This art piece was inspired by the information from a 2016 summer graduate school class at California State University East Bay. The class was called Assessment and Treatment of Substance Abuse, and it presented the harm reduction approach as a strategy to meet clients with addiction issues where they were without any kind of judgment.

     “Harm Reduction Energy” was made in San Francisco, California, on a 10" x 8" pastel paper piece with color pencils, blue ink, water paint, and acrylics. The connected human figures that are in the middle and outside of its main circle indicate the way in which harm reduction strives to reduce barriers for people who have addiction issues, so that they get the services they need (Van Wormer & Davis, 2013). The yellow ribbons and the bird figures inside the main circle are signs of hope that is given by the community to people with addiction issues. The syringe logos represent needle exchange services for people with these issues, and the red color embracing the main circle represents the compassionate care that is provided by many social service agencies with the belief that people with addiction tend to choose the goal that is most appropriate for the severity of their problems when given a choice (Van Wormer & Davis, 2013).

Reference

Van Wormer, K., & Davis, D.R. (2013). Addiction treatment: A strengths perspective. Belmont, CA: Cengage.

Farid De La Ossa Arrieta was born in Colombia (South America) in 1975 and moved to the United States in 2001. Farid became a U.S. citizen in 2014, lives in San Francisco, CA, and has worked with several social service agencies. Currently, Farid is completing a part-time Master of Social Work program at California State University East Bay and working per diem as a visitation specialist at a hospital in San Francisco.