Team at Insite in Vancouver looks at naloxone kit.

Services

  • Drug Checking

  • Supervised Consumption and Overdose Prevention Sites

  • Harm Reduction Supplies & Needle Distribution Sites

  • Vancouver Needle Distribution and Recovery Van

  • Overdose Outreach Teams

  • The Junction

What is harm reduction?

Harm reduction is an evidence-based approach to care that minimizes the health impacts of a behaviour. For example, sunscreen reduces the harms from sun exposure and seatbelts reduce the harms of car crashes. 

For those who use drugs, harm reduction can reduce the negative impacts of using unregulated substances. Harm reduction strategies include:

  • naloxone to reverse opioid poisonings,
  • drug checking,
  • harm reduction supplies like needles and pipes,
  • overdose prevention sites and services,

Harm reduction is one set of tools in a comprehensive response to substance use that also includes withdrawal management (detox), treatment and recovery. 

Research shows that harm reduction programs have been very effective in reducing rates of HIV and Hepatitis C and in preventing toxic drug deaths. Evidence also shows that harm reduction services do not encourage people to use drugs, and help to link people into treatment and recovery.

Naloxone-kit

Overdose response, naloxone and training

Information and resources on how to prevent and respond to overdoses.

Learn more

Resources

    • How to administer naloxone

      Short video on how to use naloxone to reverse an overdose

    • Harm reduction supplies site finder

      Find harm reduction supplies near you

    • Lifeguard app

      A phone app to prevent and respond to overdoses.

    • Toxic drugs: ideas to stay alive

      Printable poster of harm reduction ideas.

    • Monthly Public Naloxone Trainings Monthly public naloxone trainings

      Provided in person and on Zoom from the VCH peer team. Visit to register for sessions.

    • Understanding harm reduction: Substance use

    • Dispelling Myths and Fears Around Harm Reduction

    • I died six times…let’s stop the stigma of harm reduction

    • Moms Stop the Harm

      Support and advocacy for families impacted by the toxic drug emergency

    • Nexus and Odyssey (youth substance use counseling)

      Free one-to-one counselling and youth drop-in space from the Boys and Girls Club

    • Urban Native Youth Association

      Free counselling for youth and a youth health centre.

    • Navigating grief and loss (BCCSU guide)

      A guide for loved ones.

    • Parents Together

      A parent support group run by the Boys and Girls Club, often supports parents of youth using substances.

Resources for health professionals and service providers

Visit our substance use and harm reduction resources for health professionals and service providers for specific resources and training for all frontline staff and health professionals.

More about harm reduction

Used needles and condoms

Substance use and harm reduction resources for health professionals and service providers

Toxic drug poisoning (“overdose”) response, naloxone and training

Decriminalization of controlled substances for personal use

Overdose surveillance

Information about opioids

Benzodiazepines (Benzos)