Harm Reduction

 

Harm Reduction is the attempt to reduce harm to individuals and the community which are caused by drug use.

Harm Reduction assumes……

  1. Drugs are not good  or bad, but simply exist in our society
  2. Drug users should never be judged
  3. People who use drugs deserve the same quality of health care, related services, respect and dignity as people who don’t use drugs

 

Philosophy of Harm Reduction

  • All people have rights for comprehensive, non-judgmental, medical, and social service.
  • Licit/illicit substances are neither good nor bad; rather it is the individual’s relationship to the substance.
  • People who use substances are capable of making effective choices.
  • All people have value and dignity.
  • Harm reduction offers useful tools to minimize negative consequences.
  • Harm reduction identifies the range of risk and promotes risk minimization.
  • Recognizes that narcotic abuse is the most stigmatized public health issue.
  • Is a pragmatic and non- judgmental approach to substance use and people who use, which also recognizes that quitting ‘dope’ is neither realistic nor desirable for people continue to use
  • Is a policy or program directed toward decreasing adverse health, social, and economic consequences of substance use whether the person who uses continues to use psychoactive substance or not.

 

 

 

Did you know?

 

  • In the U.S. over 80% of all drug users have hepatitis C.
  • You can have Hep A, B, or C and not feel sick.
  • You can get Hep A, B, C and Hiv/Aids from sharing needles, tattooing equipment & having unprotected sex.
  • You can have Hep A, B, C and not feel sick.
  • Hep C can live for up to 6 weeks outside the body.

 

    


Services

  • Referrals to user friendly doctors, youth, children & familyprograms, and free vaccinations from public health.
  • Tips and referrals for home detoxing.
  • Referrals to detoxes, methadone programs, and drug treatment program s .
  • Advocacy for issues with government agencies, landlords, court support or agency workers.
  • Referrals to shelters, meal programs, food banks, out of the cold and other community programs
  •    Referrals to I.D.  Clinics to replace lost or stolen identification.
  • We provide outreach to substance users (drug and alcohol) and those at risk of using ,youth, service providers, schools and institutions

Fixed Site Hours:
Tuesday – Friday
10:00am – 14:00pm

Street Outreach
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
13:00pm – 15:00pm

Contact us for more info: