In your crucial role as a frontline service provider, you play a pivotal part in promoting the well-being of individuals and communities. One essential approach to achieving this is through harm reduction – a strategy aimed at minimizing the negative consequences associated with various health-related behaviors.
Harm Reduction includes programs, services, and practices that allow for a health-oriented response to substance use. The approach respects a person’s right to continue to use while providing options, support, and resources to minimize the negative “harm” that may result. Non-judgmental service delivery means “meeting people where they are at” and is the heart of a Harm Reduction approach.
Research shows that people who use Harm Reduction services are more likely to engage in ongoing treatment. These services can reach vulnerable individuals in the community who may not be connected to traditional health and social support settings.
The Needle Exchange Program (NEP) helps reduce the harms associated with substance use. Needle exchange sites provide safe and anonymous access to sterile injection and inhalation equipment, and safe disposal for used equipment.
Needle Disposal Bins
Needle Disposal Bins reduce accidental contact with used needles.
Ontario Naloxone Program (ONP): Needle Exchange Programs, Hepatitis C Programs, Consumption and Treatment Services and participating community-based organizations distribute injectable and nasal spray naloxone kits to individuals at risk of opioid overdose and their friends and family.
Ontario Naloxone Program for Pharmacies: Participating Ontario pharmacies distribute injectable and/or nasal spray naloxone kits to individuals at risk of opioid overdose, their family and friends, and people in a position to care for at risk individuals.
Naloxone in the workplace: Find out if you are required to have a naloxone kit at your workplace, get a kit for free and training on how to use it. Please note the Health Unit does not supply Naloxone kits to businesses/workplaces.
Workplace Naloxone Training
Starting December 2022, Ontario’s Workplace Naloxone Program is providing support to employers who are required to comply with the naloxone requirements in the Occupational Health and Safety Act by providing free naloxone training for up to two workers per workplace and/or one free nasal naloxone kit per workplace.
If you have information about a local overdose incident or have any opioid-related information that you would like to share, please press the link below. Data will be kept anonymous. This can help inform HKPR District Health Unit on local activity and supports the Early Warning Surveillance System.
If you suspect someone is overdoing, call 911 and give the person naloxone. Reminder: The Good Samaritan Act protects someone trying to help in an emergency from legal repercussions, and the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects anyone on scene of an overdose from being charged for possessing or using drugs.
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