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Harm Reduction Works (Needle Exchange/Safer Inhalation Program)

Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies that meet people “where they’re at” in an effort to reduce negative consequences of drug and/or alcohol use.

Needle exchange sites are an example of harm reduction. The sites provide a safe environment to exchange used drug equipment (works) with the supply of new, sterile works.

Friendly staff are available at the sites to help you access:

Clean equipment including needles, pipes, spoons, ties, filters, swabs, water and Vitamin C
Free condoms, lube and dental dams
Testing information on HIV, Hep C, sexually transmitted infections (STI’s), safer sex, pregnancy, and more
Other resources and community agencies

You can protect yourself and others by:

Using new works every time you inject or smoke
Using condoms and lube every time you have vaginal and/or anal sex
Using condoms or dental dams every time you have oral sex
Getting tested regularly
Not sharing equipment for injecting, inhaling, tattooing or piercing
Washing your hands and the skin where you’re injecting with soap and water or alcohol pads. This helps to stop germs from entering your blood.
Using different sites on your body to inject. This will cut down on bruises, track marks and vein collapse.
Always putting your used rigs inside a hard plastic container (not glass) with a sealed lid (pop bottle or coffee can) if you can't get to an exchange site.