Harm Reduction
What is harm reduction?
From a Public Health perspective, harm reduction is a set of non-judgemental policies and programs that aim to provide or enhance skills, knowledge, resources, and support for people so that they can live safer, healthier lives. Harm reduction interventions can be geared towards the individual, family, community, or society. Examples of public health harm reduction strategies include condom distribution, smoking bans in public places, safer sex campaigns, needle syringe programs (NSPs), and low-risk alcohol drinking campaigns.
Harm reduction services related to substance use aim to provide strategies to reduce drug-related harms including death, disease, and injury without requiring the cessation of drug use while also empowering people to have control of their health and well-being. For many people who use drugs, harm reduction is often the first or only link that they have to the health and social service system, and it can be a pathway to treatment and other services.
How you can make a difference in our community
Addressing substance use-related harms requires the cooperation and collaboration of many community partners and private citizens. Raising awareness and educating people about substance use and substance use health, and the roles that we play is vital.
Harm reduction strategies that you can do within your community
- Learn how to safely dispose of needles.
- Find a yellow sharps disposal bin (Ontario Harm Reduction Distribution Program) in your area.
- Learn about naloxone, how to use it and where to get a free kit (Ontario.ca).
- Learn where to get sterile harm reduction supplies.
- Safely dispose of any old or unused medications (Health Canada).
*Have you found discarded needles in the community?
Learn how to safely pick up and dispose of needles.
If you find a needle and require assistance:
- On public property call the City of Greater Sudbury at 3-1-1
This item was last modified on July 8, 2024