The Harm Reduction Coalition of York Region participated in a day long harm reduction conference at York Support Services Network in Newmarket. Patti Bell Executive Director of Blue Door Shelters and Lori Kerr from LOFT Crosslinks Street Outreach Program presented to the sold out audience.
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1. November 2011 Presenters:Lori Kerr and Patti Bell
2. Harm Reduction Coalition in York Region Terms of
ReferenceDefinition of Harm ReductionBasic principles of Harm
ReductionMandateMembershipGoals/Objectives Harm Reduction in York
Region- November 2011
3. Why Harm Reduction? If you say that I cant come to your
program because I am using, then youre telling me that I dont
deserve to heal. Until Im clean, I am not good enough. Harm
Reduction in York Region- November 2011
4. MembershipHarm Reduction in York Region- November 2011
5. Examples of Harm Reduction Activities in York Region Harm
Reduction in York Region- November 2011
6. Harm Reduction InitiativesStreet OutreachEducation,
achievable optionsSupplying condomsModerate/Controlled using
strategiesNeedle Exchange & Safe Disposal (Sharps)Safer
Inhalation ProgramsTolerance zones (e.g., Supervised
InjectionSites)Methadone Maintenance ProgramsPrescription of heroin
and other drugsWet shelters, Dry shelters, managedAlcohol Programs
(MAP)User groups, peer supportCounselling & Referral Harm
Reduction in York Region- November 2011
7. Why Here? Canadian Human Rights Act (June18, 2008)For all
purposes of this Act, the prohibited grounds of discrimination are
race, national or ethnic origin,colour, religion, age, sex, sexual
orientation, marital status, family status, any previous or
existing mental or physical disability and includesdisfigurement
and previous orexisting dependence on alcohol or a drug, and
conviction for which a pardon has been granted. Harm Reduction in
York Region- November 2011
8. Street Outreach In 2010 the van was approached on 916
occasions by persons withpotential addiction or usage issues. Some
of the more common substances used include oxycontin,marijuana,
alcohol, crack cocaine, etc. Of the 916 contacts, 390 accessed the
needle exchange program. Almost 24,000 clean needles were given out
and 192 bio bins. Just over 8,000 needles were turned in for safe
disposal. Harm Reduction in York Region- November 2011
9. Street Outreach Safer sex Food and Shelter and
Referralsinformation Health care Counselling clothing sleeping and
(condoms information & support distribution bags linkages
available) Harm Reduction in York Region- November 2011
10. York Region Alliance to End HomelessnessHealth Care
Supports not Currently Available to Homeless and At-Risk People in
York RegionGaps in Existing Health Care Support Specific Needs
IdentifiedShelter Needs Wet Shelter Year-round Inn from the Cold
(emergency shelter) Supportive housingHealth Centres Community
Health Centres beyond VaughanSafe Spaces or Supplies More
unscheduled drop-in centres (like Krasman Centre) Safer use crack
kitsTreatment Needs Residential withdrawal management/ detox Street
health care services Mobile foot care Pediatric care Dental care
Specialists- reduced waitlists More nurse practitionersQuality of
Care Assurance of confidential care and consultations
Ethno-cultural support (especially in the north) Harm Reduction in
York Region- November 2011
11. Needle Exchange ProgramWhat is a Needle Exchange Program
(NEP)?All Health units in Ontario have needle exchange
programsProject YES York Exchange ServicesServices: Needle
distribution/safe disposal of used needles Injection supplies
Information on safer injection Referrals Condoms & lubeAll
Services are Free and Confidential Harm Reduction in York Region-
November 2011
12. Needle Exchange Program Locations Mobile site in
partnership with Loft/Crosslinks StreetOutreach van Fixed sites:
Rutherford Guardian pharmacy Newmarket Sexual Health Clinic
Richmond Hill Sexual Health Clinic Markham Sexual Health Clinic
Vaughan Sexual Health Clinic 1-905-955-2471 1-866-553-4053 Harm
Reduction in York Region- November 2011
13. Current Needle Exchange Program York Region Locations Harm
Reduction in York Region- November 2011
14. Future Needle Exchange Program York Region Locations ??
Harm Reduction in York Region- November 2011
15. Blue Door Shelters Board training on Harm Reduction Board
supported and approved formal policy Management completed York
University Harm Reduction Certificate Staff received mandatory
trainingInternal Harm Reduction Committee to assist with policy
implementation and continuing education Acknowledgement and
education in Blue Door Shelters intake process Estimate over 50% of
residents use substances to cope On-site sharps disposal containers
Developed and distribute Harm Reduction pamphlet for all clients
Harm Reduction in York Region- November 2011
16. Data from Ontario Harm Reduction Distribution Program First
wave data is from 2007 Surveyed approximately 70 injection drug
users Compared York Region to Ontario Final report: Ontario Harm
Reduction Distribution Program Final Outcome Evaluation April 2009
http://www.ohrdp.ca/wp-
content/uploads/pdf/OHRDP.Prov.Rpt_LLeonard.pdf Note: statistics
from the final study are not included in this presentation since
the data is not isolated to York Region. Harm Reduction in York
Region- November 2011
17. Injection Drug Use In the 6 months before the survey... 40
36 35 30 25 19Percentage 20 17 13 Ontario 15 York Region 10 5 0
Injected daily Injected with a shared needle Harm Reduction in York
Region- November 2011
18. Some first wave results: Ontario/York Region Commonly used
injected drugs... 44 Crack 43 23 Morphine 53 York Region 41
OntarioOxycodone 53 77 Cocaine 71 Percentage Harm Reduction in York
Region- November 2011
19. Some first wave results: Ontario/York Region Disposal of
used equipment... 80 80 70 60 50 37 40 OntarioPercentage 30 26 York
Region 20 13 10 6 5 0 Needle Exchange bottle/can Loose Plastic Harm
Reduction in York Region- November 2011
20. Some first wave results: Ontario/York Region 100 80 78 90
80 70 60 50Percentage Ontario 40 30 York Region 20 10 0 Shared drug
smoking equipment Harm Reduction in York Region- November 2011
21. Some first wave results: Ontario/York Region Commonly used
non-injected drugs... Crystal 9 Meth 15 Cocaine 75 58 78 York Crack
Region 66 Alcohol 78 70Marijuana 82 74 Percentage Harm Reduction in
York Region- November 2011
22. Data from the Shout Clinic Harm Reduction Report, Toronto,
2010 Conducted by: Funded by:Shout Clinic delivers The Wellesley
Institute advances urbanprimary, interdisciplinary care to youth
health through rigorousages 16 to 24 years through a trauma
research, pragmatic policyinformed and harm reduction solutions,
social innovation, andphilosophy. community action. Harm Reduction
in York Region- November 2011
23. Dependency and Addiction Issues 47% of respondents were (in
the past 6 months) unsuccessfulin trying to cut down or quit their
drug of choice; 37% werenot interested50% of respondents used drugs
to avoid withdrawal symptomLow use of drug treatment services Harm
Reduction in York Region- November 2011
24. Barriers Youth experienced a wide range of barriers to
accessingservices and supports and practicing harm reduction, such
as: Policy Structural Attitudinal Knowledge Complex &
Multi-dimensional Harm Reduction in York Region- November 2011
25. Recommendations - Harm Reduction, Public Health
ProfessionalsYouth emphasized the importance of 90% of survey
respondents think thatprotecting youth with accessible, and harm
reduction is an appropriate andappropriate harm reduction services
useful approach to substance use and approaches, rather than
issues. punishing them for their drug use. Harm Reduction in York
Region- November 2011
26. Recommendations - HarmReduction, Public Health
Professionals1. Deliver services where and when youth need them2.
Spread the word better advertisement of services3. Provide supplies
that youth need and will use4. Relevant program options that are
appealing to youth5. Provide greater access to educational
materials and resources6. A safe place to use safe injection and
consumption sites Harm Reduction in York Region- November 2011
27. Recommendations for Addiction and Harm Reduction
Professionals Increase options(for treatment and youth specific
programs)Easier accessPeer-workers and people with lived experience
Harm Reduction in York Region- November 2011
28. Recommendations for Police Bring police on board Training
for police Policy reform Develop a harm reduction unit as part of
TPS Effective complaint process and greater policeaccountability
Harm Reduction in York Region- November 2011
29. Recommendations for Mental Health Professionals Tackle
social stigma and promote mental health services More responsive
services Program options Positive relationships Harm Reduction in
York Region- November 2011
30. Harm Reduction in York Region- November 2011
31. Why Harm Reduction? By promoting Harm Reduction we will
have safer and healthier communities as a result of our combined
effortsHarm Reduction Coalition of York Region Website:
http://hrcyr.posterous.com Harm Reduction in York Region- November
2011
32. The Future for York Region Expansion of needle Safer
disposal of used Education! Education! exchange sites in York
equipment/sharps Education! Region containers Harm Reduction Making
our dreams a Policy and procedure Coalition of York reality, having
development for Region expanding everybody meeting organizations
membership and people where theyre activities at Harm Reduction in
York Region- November 2011