Harm reduction includes programs and policies that aim to reduce the potential health, social, and economic effects of drug use. This can include (but does not require) stopping drug use.
Harm reduction benefits people who use drugs, their families, and the community. Public Health is required by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to provide harm reduction strategies and services.
Injecting drugs, including steroids, is always risky. Sharing needles and other drug equipment puts you at risk of getting an infection through your blood. Harm reduction strategies and services help prevent the spread of infections including HIV, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B.
Needle Syringe Program Locations
| Kitchener |
|
| Agency |
Hours |
Service Information |
ACCKWA at St. John's Soup Kitchen
2nd Floor, 97 Victoria Street North
519-745-8928 |
Monday - Friday
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
Daytime drop in for unsheltered people only (18+) others will not be allowed into the building. Other restrictions may apply, consult with staff on site for more information. |
|
ACCKWA - Safepoint Needle Exchange Program
5-1770 King Street East
519-570-3687
|
Monday - Friday
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Delivery Available
Monday to Friday
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Call 519-221-1402
|
Clients are asked to use the buzzer, screen at door and then orders will be brought out |
Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS)
150 Duke Street West
519-575-4400 |
Seven days a week
9 a.m. - 9 p.m. |
Supplies available as usual
ACCKWA distributing supplies on first floor at CTS
Monday - Friday
1 - 5 p.m.
|
OATC Kitchener
509 Park Street
519-746-1919 |
Seven days a week
Hours vary - call or check OATC Park Street website for hours of operation |
Regular services available |
OATC Kitchener East
1253 King Street East, Unit 4
519-279-6078 |
Seven days a week
Hours vary - call or check OATC King Street website for hours of operation |
Regular services available |
oneROOF Youth Services
35 Sheldon Avenue North
519-742-2788 ext 207 |
Seven days a week
9 a.m. - 9 p.m. |
Only available to youth staying at oneROOF, no community access at this time |
|
Sanguen Community Health Van
Call or text The Van at 519-591-4826 to find out where they are - or to request a visit.
|
Thursdays
6 - 9 p.m. |
Pre-made harm reduction bags and pre-made snack bags will be given out, as well as Naloxone. |
Towards Recovery Clinic
1145 King Street East
519-579-9647 |
Monday - Saturday - call for hours of operation |
|
|
| Waterloo |
| Agency |
Hours |
Service Information |
|
Region of Waterloo Public Health
2nd Floor, 99 Regina St. South
519-575-4400
|
Monday - Friday
1 - 4 p.m.
|
Pre-made kits ONLY available at this time
Nursing services not available
Outdoor disposal bin available 24 hours
|
|
| Cambridge |
|
| Agency |
Hours |
Service information |
The Bridges
26 Simcoe Street
(across from Shoppers Drug Mart)
519-624-9990 |
|
Services available only to residents staying at the shelter |
OATC Cambridge
150 Main Street
519-624-6311 |
Seven days a week Hours vary - call or check OATC Cambridge website for hours of operation |
Regular services available |
Region of Waterloo Public Health
1st Floor, 150 Main Street
519-575-4400 |
|
No services available at this time
|
Sanguen Community Health Van
Call or text The Van at 519-591-4826 to find out where they are - or to request a visit |
Tuesdays
4:15 - 6 p.m. |
|
ACCKWA Drop in
1st Floor, 150 Main Street
|
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
1 - 4 p.m. |
Supplies available
|
|
Safe sharps disposal
For information on how to safely dispose of needles and locations of outdoor sharps disposal kiosks in Waterloo Region, check the Safe Sharps Disposal page.
Naloxone
Naloxone can be used in the event of an opiate overdose. Naloxone is available to individuals at risk for opioid overdose and to those close to them.
Naloxone Program Locations
| Kitchener |
| Agency |
Hours |
Service Information |
ACCKWA at St. John's Soup Kitchen
2nd Floor, 97 Victoria Street North
519-745-8928 |
Monday - Friday
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
Daytime drop in for unsheltered people only (18+) others will not be allowed into the building. Other restrictions may apply, consult with staff on site for more information. |
|
ACCKWA - Safepoint Needle Exchange Program
5-1770 King Street East
519-570-3687
|
Monday - Friday
12 - 4 p.m.
Delivery available
Monday - Friday
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Call 519-221-1402
|
Clients are asked to use the buzzer, screen at door and then Naloxone kits will be brought out |
|
Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS)
150 Duke Street West
519-575-4400
|
Seven days a week
9 a.m. - 9 p.m. |
Supplies available as usual
ACCKWA distributing supplies on first floor at CTS
Monday - Friday
1 - 5 p.m.
|
oneROOF Youth Services
35 Sheldon Avenue North
519-742-2788 ext 207 |
Seven days a week
9 a.m. - 9 p.m. |
Only available to youth staying at oneROOF, no community access at this time |
|
Ray of Hope Youth Addiction Services
659 King Street East #230
519-743-2311
|
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
Services available only to clients of Ray of Hope |
Sanguen Community Health Van
Call or text The Van at 519-591-4826 to find out where they are - or to request a visit |
Thursdays
6 - 9 p.m. |
Pre-made harm reduction bags and pre-made snack bags will be given out, as well as Naloxone |
|
| Waterloo |
| Agency |
Hours |
Service Information |
|
Region of Waterloo Public Health
2nd Floor, 99 Regina St. South
519-575-4400
|
Monday - Friday
1 - 4 p.m. |
Pre-made kits ONLY available at this time
Nursing services not available
Outdoor disposal bin available 24 hours
|
|
Supportive Housing of Waterloo
362 Erb Street West
519-886-8200
|
Seven days a week
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
Naloxone available to non-residents |
|
| Cambridge |
| Agency |
Hours |
Service information |
|
ACCKWA Satellite Office
54 Ainslie Street South
Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank
519-622-6550 ext. 117
|
Closed |
No services available at this time |
The Bridges
26 Simcoe Street
(across the street from Shoppers Drug Mart)
519-624-9990 |
|
Services available only to residents staying at the shelter |
Langs Main Site in Preston
1145 Concession Road
519-624-6311 |
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
Clients are instructed to go through the front door and turn left to the clinical area, then speak with a staff member |
Region of Waterloo Public Health
1st Floor, 150 Main Street
519-575-4400 |
|
No services available at this time
|
Sanguen Community Health Van
Call or text The Van at 519-591-4826 to find out where they are - or to request a visit |
Tuesdays
4:15 - 6 p.m. |
|
ACCKWA Drop in
1st Floor, 150 Main Street
|
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
1 - 4 p.m. |
Naloxone kits available
|
|
For more information about where to get a naloxone kit in Ontario, check the Where to get a free naloxone kit page.
Overdose Prevention and Services
For any questions or comments on this page, send an email to Harmreduction@regionofwaterloo.ca.
