Policy and Advocacy
Harm Reduction Society is a trusted voice and ally. We engage in constructive conversations with communities, legislators and public health organizations to promote harm reduction services and change the narrative about people who use drugs. Most importantly, we focus on supporting local advocates to have the tools they need to build leadership and power in their own communities.
Street Nursing
Our Street Nurses work with those whose lives are characterized by extreme poverty. They provide these individuals with care in drop-in centers, homeless shelters, alleyways and streets. Street nursing today not only focuses on controlling the spread of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and STIs, but also on the broader social determinants by connecting individuals to health and social services. Nurses have the ability to improve the lives of individuals and communities, not only through knowledge, but by building trusting relationships, empowering patients to take control of their health and well-being, and speaking out for the needs of patients
Drug Checking
Drug checking is a harm reduction service that allows people to determine what is in their substances, and potentially take action to reduce the risk of any associated harms. Harm Reduction Society works In collaboration with a local drug testing centre that utilizes FTIR spectrometers and test strips to analyze any drug or substance for free. Harm Reduction Society offers free rides to and from the testing centre which is located at 880 East Hastings.
Needle Exchange Program
We provide needle exchange services for anyone wanting to dispose of used needles in a safe and legal way. We also provide clean needles, sterile water, alcohol wipes and health information to encourage safer injecting practices. The goals of our needle exchange services are to reduce the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C and other diseases. Needle exchange services also reduce the number of discarded needles in public and the incidence of needle-stick injuries.
Harm Reduction Outreach
The Harm Reduction Outreach team is an outreach team that supports individuals to reduce any potential harms related to substance use. We work with people who use drugs and who can not afford to pay for services. Our Outreach team provide counselling and case management services.
Family & Youth Initiative Program
This initiative is an outpatient program developed to meet the needs of youth, aged 12 to 25, and their family members and friends who are struggling with substance use concerns. Services are provided from a harm reduction approach in a supportive, non-judgmental manner. We offer professional support, both to the youth with substance use concerns and their family. We can work with parents, guardians, or other family members whether or not the youth wants to engage in services. We also provide support to youth who are impacted by substance use within their families.
Take Home Naloxone Program
The Take Home Naloxone Program provides life-saving training and kits, at no charge, to people who are at risk of an opioid overdose and people likely to witness and respond to an overdose such as a family or friend of someone at risk. To obtain your own naloxone kit call our offices and we can have one delivered to you.
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