Needle Syringe Program

The role of public health organizations within a Community Drug Strategy is to create a community with positive conditions that allow for people to lead healthier lives. The Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) is part of a larger harm reduction program offered by Public Health Sudbury & Districts (Public Health). Harm reduction is an evidence-based, client-centred approach that seeks to reduce the health and social harms or consequences associated with addiction and substance use, without requiring people who use substances from abstaining or stopping. NSPs are a central form of harm reduction for individuals who use substances and support community safety. NSPs distribute sterile needles, syringes, and other drug-use materials. These programs reduce the sharing and re-use of needles, syringes, and other supplies and reduce the number of improperly discarded needles and syringes in the community.

Free supplies and services:

Needle Syringe Programs have many services available to clients, including

• sterile needles, injection, and inhalation equipment
• information about safer drug use
• information about safer sex
• community referrals to services
• disposal containers for used needles and sharps
• condoms and lube
• naloxone

To find yellow sharps disposal bins or harm reduction supplies anywhere in Sudbury and Manitoulin districts visit https://ohrdp.ca/find-supplies/.

Needle Syringe Programs in action

With an emphasis on evidence-informed practice, this report explores Public Health’s role in delivering harm reduction and needle recovery services in Greater Sudbury.

Download the full report (PDF, 350 KB)

This item was last modified on July 8, 2024