Harm reduction services benefit individuals and families

Jun 19, 2023

Harm reduction is an evidence-based, client-centred approach that seeks to reduce the health and social harms associated with addiction and substance use. This approach encompasses programs, services and practices and allows for a health-oriented response to substance use. Some practices that take a harm reduction approach include: using a nicotine patch instead of smoking, consuming water while drinking alcohol, using substances in a safe environment with someone they trust, and needle exchange programs for people who inject drugs.

Harm reduction doesn’t just apply to the use of substances. We engage in harm reduction in our everyday lives to minimize a risk, such as wearing a helmet when riding a bike or enforcing seatbelts when driving in a car.

Harm reduction acknowledges that many individuals coping with addiction and problematic substance use may not be in a position to remain abstinent from their substance of choice. Instead, it provides an option for users to engage with peers, medical and social services in a non-judgemental way that will ‘meet them where they are’. Research indicates that those who engage in harm reduction services are more likely to engage in ongoing treatment as a result of accessing these services.

Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) sites are an innovative harm-reduction approach shown to reduce the impacts of opioids, including death. CTS have been proven to increase uptake of addiction treatment and other health and social services, prevent deaths and hospital visits due to drug overdose, and reduce unsafe injection practices which can lead to the transmission of blood borne infections. For example, since the opening of a CTS in Guelph, the community has reported seeing fewer discarded needles, decreased emergency department visits and the prevention of overdoses due to opioid poisoning.

To support harm reduction in our community, the Canadian Mental Health Association, Simcoe County Branch, has received approval from Health Canada for an application to permit a CTS in Barrie, and has been waiting more than 20 months on approval from the Ministry of Health to proceed. For more information on CTS, including the local application history and community consultations involved in the process, visit www.smdhu.org/CTS.