Harm Reduction
Harm reduction practices are evidence-based public health policies and strategies designed to reduce the harms associated with drug use and other high-risk activities.
Many different harm reduction strategies range from safer drug use to drug abstinence. Harm reduction strategies recognize drug use as a complex, multi-faceted issue and seek to minimize the harmful effects of drug use rather than judge, condemn, or ignore it.
To find where to access harm reduction supplies and safe sharps disposal bins across Ontario, use the Ontario Harm Reduction Distribution Program’s interactive map.
What we do
Some of Northwestern Health Unit’s (NWHU) harm reduction services include the following.
- Needle Distribution
- Safe Needle Disposal
- Naloxone and opioid overdose prevention
- Opioids in our communities
- Drug alerts
Needle Distribution
Needle Distribution is just one piece of NWHU’s Harm Reduction Program. The needle distribution program provides counselling and new sterile equipment to people who use drugs in order to decrease the spread of blood-borne infections (HIV, Hepatitis B and C) in our communities, without increasing drug use.
The stigma around drug use is a barrier that prevents people who use drugs from accessing support and contributes to unsafe drug use. Needle distribution sites are sometimes the only contact people who use drugs have with community agencies. By helping keep people who use drugs healthy, we keep our community healthy and increase the likelihood of individuals seeking treatment and getting connected with community support such as housing or food.
For more information about needle distribution sites, see our Needle Distribution Sites page.
Safe Needle Disposal
This program works to limit the number of improperly discarded needles by providing education, sharps containers to clients, and mounted containers in our communities when needed.
If you find a discarded needle, don’t panic. You and others in the community can pick needles up safely. By picking up a needle that you find on the ground, you are helping to keep your community clean and safe. The NWHU provides Safe Needle Handing education and pickup Kits for people to use in case they find a needle in the community. Learn more about picking up a sharp safely.
We also have information on how to talk to children about what to do if they find a needle.
Anyone can bring needles to the NWHU. Also, some pharmacies in the region take them; just call ahead to find out.
For more information about where and how to dispose of a needle safely, see our Staying Safe with Needles page.
If you use prescribed injected medications, a pharmacy will be able to provide you with sharps containers and disposal; please see Returning Medications – HPSA.
Naloxone and opioid overdose prevention
If you suspect yourself or someone else has overdosed call 911 immediately.
People who use opioids (fentanyl, morphine) that are injected, snorted, or swallowed are at risk of an opioid overdose. The risk is high when someone uses an opioid differently than how it has been prescribed or by using illegal or “street” drugs. When using unregulated drugs, what is in it is not known. This means opioids could be in any drug and anyway you use it could result in an opioid poisoning.
Naloxone is a medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. Naloxone kits are available to individuals at risk of an opioid overdose, as well as their friends, family, and supporters of people who use opioids. Naloxone is available for free, without a prescription, at some pharmacies, health units, and at some other agencies in your community.
Visit our Naloxone and Opioid Overdose Prevention page to find more information on naloxone, where to access a naloxone kit and how to use naloxone. Please contact your local health unit for an appointment for Naloxone Training.
Staying safe
You can use the following tips to help stay safe:
- Use one drug at a time or use less of each drug if you are mixing.
- Use less drug when your tolerance is low, like when not using for a few days.
- Try a small amount of the drug first if you are getting it from anywhere other than a pharmacy, in case it is not what you were expecting.
- Do not use alone! Buddy up with someone you trust, leave your door unlocked or call someone before to let them know you are about to use.
- Always use all new equipment, and never share or reuse.
- Carry naloxone and know how to use it. You could get a Naloxone kit for free, which can reverse or stop an opioid overdose.
- Use the Lifeguard App if you are using it alone. The app is easy to use, and it automatically connects you with the hospital if you become unresponsive.
Opioids in our communities
Opioids like fentanyl or morphine, are drugs that can be prescribed to treat pain. Some people use opioids to obtain a high.
We monitor and track trends in opioid-related issues in our communities. We work with community partners including police, EMS, hospitals and First Nations partners to respond to changes, and prevent overdoses.
For more information about opioids in our communities, see our Opioids in our Communities page.
Drug alerts
Drug alerts are a fast and easy way to inform people who use drugs and community members, of potentially toxic drugs circulating in our community that are causing drug poisonings/overdoses. Northwestern Health Unit works with people who use drugs and other community agencies to identify these potential drug toxicities and drug contaminants. Staying informed will help our community to stay healthy.
The Northwestern Health Unit has issued the following Drug Alerts: