Harm reduction for opioids: A Canadian perspective
The opioid crisis continues to make its presence known throughout Canada. The issue is exacerbated by the stigma surrounding people who use substances. Societal stigma can pose as a barrier — preventing people from seeking help for their condition. Harm reduction is a term used to describe public health approaches designed to minimize negative consequences related to misusing substances (i.e. alcohol and drugs). This approach involves a range of policies, practices and programs proven to reduce the harms that may be associated with substance use. Safe consumption sites, needle exchanges, opioid substitution programs, education and naloxone are all examples of harm reduction efforts. This video delves into the origins of the opioid crisis, the disastrous effects of stigma, the importance of harm reduction and ways through which we can implement this practice into our lives.
This video was made possible with the collaboration of Tim Clemont, the director of the Hamilton AIDS network, and Shifting Perceptions Podcast, a podcast dedicated to discussing harm reduction and substance use.
Resources:
Here are some community resources to check out if you are currently using substances. In addition, you can grab a free naloxone kit at any drug store to contribute to overdose prevention.
Keeping six drop-in centres
Wesley Urban Ministries
Aboriginal Health Centre
Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre
The Aids Network
A Mobile Needle Exchange Van
This video was made by McMaster Demystifying Medicine Students: Debbie, Soren, Farnia and Samina.
Copyright of McMaster University 2019.
References:
1) Kerr T, Mitra S, Kennedy MC, McNeil R. Supervised injection facilities in Canada: past, present, and future. Harm reduction journal. 2017 Dec;14(1):28.
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4) Opioidprescribing.hqontario.ca. (2018). 9 Million Prescriptions – What we know about the growing use of prescription opioids in Ontario. [online] Available at: http://opioidprescribing.hqontario.ca/ [Accessed 18 Oct. 2018].
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7) Kolodny, Andrew, et al. "The prescription opioid and heroin crisis: a public health approach to an epidemic of addiction." Annual review of public health 36 (2015): 559-574.
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