Holding hope - Canada
Harm Reduction
Harm reduction is one of the key principles the mothers of Moms Stop The Harm believe in and advocate for. How do we define harm reduction?
“‘Harm Reduction’ refers to policies, programs and practices that aim primarily to reduce the adverse health, social and economic consequences of the use of legal and illegal psychoactive drugs without necessarily reducing drug consumption. Harm reduction benefits people who use drugs, their families and the community” (Harm Reduction International, 2016).
The Harm Reduction International website is an excellent source of further information.
Overdose awareness - MSTH co-founder Leslie McBain, lost a child to overdose.
Province of BC, September 21, 2016
Harm reduction
Aims to keep people alive and as healthy as possible
Reduces the risk of infections and blood born diseases
Connects people with social and health services and/or treatment
Reduces the need to access emergency services and saves healthcare costs
Encourages self-respect and offers hope.
Harm reduction includes:
Needle exchanges
Take-home Naloxone programs (THN)
Drug testing and bad batch alerts
Drug safety information and training
Supervised consumption (SCS) and overdose prevention services (OPS)
Harm reduction is about trusting relationships and about accepting and meeting the person where they are at, without stigma and without shame.
The harm reduction model of drug addiction treatment. TEDMED
Supervised Consumption Services
Source: Why SCS, 2021 https://www.whyscs.ca/about
The website Why SCS is an excellent source of information on SCS and OPS, why they work and the science that supports this live-saving health service.
Supervised consumption services (SCS) are health facilities where people consume drugs and are monitored by staff who provide education on harm reduction and provide emergency medical care for overdose. SCS also distribute sterile drug use equipment and can act as a pathway to other health services. SCS are authorized by federal or provincial authorities, which protects staff and participants from being charged with possession of illegal drugs while on site. (Why SCS, 2021)