Support not Stigma

 In British Columbia, the harm reduction movement includes various services and policies, such as safe consumption sites, needle exchange programs, Naloxone distribution, and more recently, decriminalization of small amounts of certain substances

 Harm reduction is a critical component of public health that prioritizes the health, safety, and dignity of individuals and communities. It plays an essential role in preventing disease transmission , reducing overdose deaths

 Harm reduction strategies for substance use are practical, evidence-based approaches designed to minimize the health and social harms associated with drug use. These strategies provide individuals with safer options

 Mental health and harm reduction are deeply interconnected, as substance use and mental health challenges often co-occur and influence each other. Addressing these areas together through harm reduction not only improves

 Overdose prevention and response strategies are crucial components of harm reduction, especially in the face of the opioid crisis and the prevalence of substances contaminated with powerful opioids like fentanyl

 Harm reduction for youth is an approach that provides young people with accurate, age-appropriate information, tools, and support to help them make safer choices regarding substance use and other high-risk behaviors