Harm Reduction
Harm reduction includes programs and policies aiming to reduce the potential health, social, and economic effects of drug use. This can include, but does not require, the stopping of drug use.
Harm reduction services benefit people who use drugs, their families, and the community. The Ministry of Health requires that the Region of Waterloo Public Health and Paramedic Services provide harm reduction strategies and services to Waterloo Region to improve and protect the health and well-being of the population and to reduce health inequities as stated in the Ontario Public Health Standards. Harm Reduction services also help prevent the spread of blood borne diseases including Hep C and HIV/AIDS.
Public Health Harm Reduction programs include:
- Needle Syringe Program (NSP) - distribution of safer injection, safer inhalation, wound care and safer sex supplies. Sharps Disposal containers are also distributed and accepted through the NSP program. Click here for more information on Safe Sharps Disposal
- Ontario Naloxone Program (ONP) - distribution of medicine that temporarily reverses an opioid overdose to people at risk of overdose
- Overdose prevention training and education
- Consumption and Treatment Services
Stigma and Substance Use
Stigma associated with substance use can prevent people from seeking help. Explore the sections below to learn more about stigma, supportive language, addiction and the continuum of use; and the ways our community can help address these challenges.
What is stigma? | ||||||||||||
Stigma involves negative attitudes or discrimination based on a person’s situation. Some examples of stigma include country of origin, race, culture, drug use, mental health, poverty, sex work and a history of incarceration. Individuals who use substances often experience high levels of stigma impacting their ability to access health care and social services. The following are implications of stigma for clients and service providers: Willingness to access services
Risk and behaviors
Self-worth
Relationships and trust
Funding
The above content has been adapted from the Ontario Harm Reduction Distribution Program (OHRDP). |
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Stigma and our language | ||||||||||||
Using supportive language Language is powerful. It reflects our values and beliefs, and impacts our thoughts and actions. Language used in society to describe people who use drugs is often negative and degrading. Terms like abuser, junkie, addict, and drug user perpetuate stigma and discrimination. The language used to describe people who use substances or those who struggle with addiction can have a lasting impact on self-esteem and can influence how they are treated. As a result, people who use drugs often become marginalized and alienated from the supports and services they need out of shame or to protect themselves from poor treatment. Stigmatizing language does not help people with substance use issues to improve their lives. By describing a person as a “junkie” or “user”, it highlights one part their identity, and disregards all other parts that matter to them, their families and their communities. Individuals are more than their substance use, they are people first.
Supportive terms People with lived experience - first-hand accounts and impressions of living as a member of a minority or oppressed group. In the context of harm reduction, people with lived experience refers to those who have used substances in the past and share those experiences for many purposes. People with living experience - first-hand accounts and impressions of currently living as a member of a minority or oppressed group. In the context of harm reduction, people with living experience refers to those who actively use substances, but also share those experiences as they happen. Peer workers – a term used when a person with lived or living experience is employed by a harm reduction program to help provide services to those who actively use substances. It is important to note that while we should not attach negative labels to other people, individuals should be able to self identify as they wish. The above content has been adapted from the Toronto Public Health Website and the Government of Canada, “Changing how we talk about substance use”. [1] Kelly, J.F., & Westerhoff, C.M., (2009). Does it matter how we refer to individuals with substance-related conditions? A randomized study of two commonly used terms. International Journal of Drug Policy, in press |
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Addiction and continuum of use | ||||||||||||
There is a broad range of substance use from abstinence to dependence. An individual’s substance use may change throughout their life, for a variety of reasons. The following graphic describes the continuum of substance use. About the continuum of use:
The above content has been adapted from the Toronto Public Health website, Stigma: Why Words Matter and Substance Use Spectrum. |
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Anti-stigma videos | ||||||||||||
Support and additional resources | ||||||||||||
For support and additional resources, check the Where to Get Help page. |
Waterloo Region Integrated Drug Strategy
What is the Waterloo Region Integrated Drug Strategy? |
The Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy (WRIDS) is a community collaborative working group aiming to prevent, reduce and eliminate problematic substance use. The vision of the WRIDS is to make Waterloo Region safer and healthier. The WRIDS presents an opportunity to address problematic substance use across multiple sectors, amongst various populations and locales throughout Waterloo Region. The approach to addressing problematic drug use is based on the four pillars of Prevention, Harm Reduction, Recovery and Rehabilitation, and Enforcement and Justice. Work on the Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy began in 2008 through a 26-member Task Force in consultation with more than 300 citizens and service providers. In 2011, the Strategy was released. It draws on a framework that incorporates five approaches across 99 recommendations. These recommendations spanning public education, health care, and government policy, are intended to have positive health, social and financial outcomes. Click here to view the Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy document. Since that time, work on the strategy has evolved with priorities emerging in relation to the local context of substance use and its harms on the population. There are approximately 130 individuals from over 40 organizations, agencies and the community who are involved in the work of the WRIDS. The WRIDS is guided by a multi-sectoral steering committee and four coordinating committees which align with each of the four pillars. Check the WRIDS website for more information. |
Overdose Prevention and Naloxone Kits
Overdose prevention strategies range from abstinence to safe consumption. Naloxone is a medication that temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. To learn more about naloxone, signs of an overdose, where to get naloxone, how to become a distribution partner and information on overdose trainings, review the information below.
What is Naloxone? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Naloxone is a medication that temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. Opioids are a type of drug that slows down breathing. Examples include but are not limited to heroin, fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine, methadone, codeine and oxycodone. In Canada, Naloxone is available in two different forms, injectable (intramuscular) and nasal spray (intranasal). A Naloxone dose usually takes 2-5 minutes to work from the time of administration; however, the results are a temporary measure. It is imperative to always call 911 in an overdose situation, as the effects of the overdose may return once the naloxone has worn off. Check this video on Naloxone Facts and infographics with information about naloxone developed by the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy and Region of Waterloo Public Health. |
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Signs of an overdose and how to use Naloxone | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
An overdose is a medical emergency, 911 should always be called. Below are possible signs of an overdose:
When is a person at risk of an overdose?
How to respond to an opioid overdose with Naloxone
Click here for an overview on how to administer Naloxone. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides immunity from simple possession charges for those who call 911 in an overdose situation. It is important to remind those at risk of overdose or family/friends that this law will offer legal protection. For more information, check the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act on the Public Health Agency of Canada website. |
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Where to get Naloxone? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kitchener
Waterloo
Cambridge
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Interested in becoming a Naloxone distribution partner? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In 2017, The Ministry of Health launched the Ontario Naloxone Program (ONP) and designated public health units in Ontario as naloxone distribution leads for eligible community organizations to increase the distribution of naloxone to those most at risk of opioid overdose. The responsibilities of the local public health unit include the following:
The Region of Waterloo Public Health and Paramedic Services currently has partnerships with community organizations, local hospitals, police services, fire departments and ambulance services across the region. For more information about becoming an ONP, email the harm reduction team at: harmreduction@regionofwaterloo.ca |
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Local overdose data | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Waterloo Region Overdose Monitoring Community Overdose Alerts
For the most current alerts, check the Overdose Alerts page. To receive overdose alerts, subscribe on the WRIDS website. Overdose Bulletins For more information about reports and data sources email the harm reduction team at: harmreduction@regionofwaterloo.ca |
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Overdose prevention training | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Region of Waterloo Public Health and Paramedic Services provides overdose prevention training upon request for businesses, hospitals, schools and various community organizations. The purpose of overdose prevention training is to provide information about overdose prevention. For more information about overdose prevention training, email the harm reduction team at: harmreduction@regionofwaterloo.ca |
Harm reduction supplies and clinics
Public Health in Waterloo Region has provided the Needle Syringe Program (NSP) since 1989 and has continued to build and expand this program to support community need. Today there are a number of sites across Waterloo Region to access harm reduction supplies. To learn more about needle syringe programs, what harm reduction supplies are available and where to get them, see below.
What is the Needle Syringe Program (NSP)? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Needle Syringe Program (NSP) distributes new harm reduction supplies (safer injection, safer inhalation, safer sex, disposal containers and wound care supplies); supports disposal of used injection equipment; and provides education related to blood borne infections, skin and vein problems, and overdose prevention. Needle syringe programs have existed in Ontario since 1989 and have operated in Waterloo Region since 1989. These programs help to:
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What harm reduction supplies are available? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A variety of harm reduction supplies are available at our Needle Syringe Programs (NSP) and Public Health Clinics across the region. Check in with a program partner before visiting to make sure they carry the needed supply as some programs may not carry all the supplies listed below.
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Where to get harm reduction supplies? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kitchener
Waterloo
Cambridge
The Region of Waterloo Public Health and Paramedic Services supports Needle Syringe Programs (NSP) across the region to offer non-judgemental and confidential access to harm reduction supplies and services. To find harm reduction supplies in another Ontario community, check the Ontario Harm Reduction Distribution Program (OHRDP) interactive map. |
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