Harm Reduction is a framework that focuses on developing programs and policies to reduce the risks associated with substance use.These associated harms include infection, disease or death. By implementing these programs and services it promotes healthy populations.

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“Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. Harm Reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who use drugs.” (Source: PRINCIPLES OF HARM REDUCTION, Harm Reduction Coalition)

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Most commonly, harm reduction is associated with folks who use substances, and while this is common, all people practice harm reduction in multiple ways every day. Seat belts are a good example – we know driving comes with a level of risk, and so we use seat belts to help minimize the danger associated with driving.

All Brock students, staff, faculty and community members practice in Harm Reduction everyday (e.g., seatbelts, coffee shops, substances, etc.,). In 2019, it was reported that 57% of Brock students used substance daily. Increased access to harm reduction info will help reduce stigma for these students. (Source: Reported marijuana use ‘higher’ at Canadian universities in 2019: Survey, Maclean’s).

Across the Niagara region, there is an increasing rate of opioid overdoses every year, which means our community needs harm reduction approaches to support them every day.

Sharps containers are located in almost all washrooms around the campus (main and downtown) for students who ned to dispose of these items.

Personal counselling services are available for all Brock students through Student health and Wellness.

See the column to the right for services and organizations in Niagara working on these issues!

The availability of Harm reduction programs does not cause people to begin using substances.

Also, a lack of services does not mean there is a lack of demand. People who always use substances, and harm reduction based programs allow for access to new supplies and locations where the chance of death caused by overdosing is significantly reduced or other health risks are significantly reduced.

Dean Spade, a trans activist, writer and academic, defines mutual aid as “a form of political participation in which people take responsibility for caring for one another and changing political conditions not just through symbolic acts or putting pressure on representatives, but by actually building new social relations that are more survivable.”

Keeping this definition in mind, harm reduction is also a part of mutual aid. Community partners like OPIRG Brock, Positive Living Niagara and many more organizations that are available in the community, all aim to support the people. These community organizations always aim for caring for those people who are in need. And therefore, harm reduction is linked to mutual aid.

For Public Health Students

These two courses provide education regarding Harm reduction and stigma around it:

HLSC 4P40: Public Health Capstones by Dr. Anthony Chum

HLSC 3P25: Mental Health and Addictions by Dr. Pauli Gardner

HLSC 4P40 offers practicum placements with the community partners like OPIRG Brock and Positive Living Niagara, where individuals could get more information and hand-on experience towards harm reduction.

For general Brock population

For all the Brock students, staff and faculty members; The Hub located in Marketplace provides Narcan/Naloxone Training from Positive Living Niagara. The training is offered once every month and interested individuals can register through Experience BU.

All Brock students have access to resources, events, and workshops offered available through OPIRG Brock.

Needle stick injuries from sharps left in public are rare, and transmission of disease from such injuries are even more rare. In such extreme cases, Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a readily available healthcare measure that can neutralize long term harm to an individual. In contrast, HIV and Hep C from lack of new harm reduction supplies can cause widespread suffering, death, and undue burden on the healthcare system. While needles found in public are unsightly and should be minimized.

​This perspective on ham reduction supplies, specifically needles left in public, are a lightning rod for fearmongering, NIMBYism, and dehumanizing, stigmatizing attacks on people who are homeless, people who use drugs, and the vital services they rely on. While we would love to live in a city without litter, we care more about the health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable people in the community. Sadly, the stigma surrounding sharps (needles)* in public often boils down to people being afraid of others who use drugs, and not wanting a visual reminder that we live in a society with such devastating poverty and alienation.

There are a variety of reasons you might find a needle in public, & there is a very easy & safe way for you to dispose of it!

1. Find a container that is safe for sharps. This would be ideally be a sharps container, but if you don’t have one, any container that is resealable, puncture-proof, and is made of thick plastic/ metal (e.g. coffee can, water bottle, etc.).
2. Safely pick up the needle. You can do this using tongs or gloves, or only grabbing the barrel of the needle. Never grab it by the tip or try to recap the needle.
3. Put the needle TIP DOWN into the container. Make sure you cannot prick yourself in this process.
4. Label the container with marker if not already labelled.
5. Bring the container to a safe disposal site & their staff can permanently dispose of it. Positive Living Niagara (120 Queenston St., St Catharines) is one of our key disposal sites. There are also many public disposal containers in locations like public washrooms. Advocating for more disposal bins in the region will help with the ease of disposing of needles when you find them.

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Pro-tip – You can also support those impacted by the stigma around needing to use needles by sharing these steps with your communities and by getting trained in harm reduction & Naloxone. To get trained and get a Naloxone kit, please email claurie@positivelivingniagara.com.

“Illegal drugs and problematic drug or substance use are not new in Canada. However, the opioid crisis has brought to light the devastating effects opioids are having on individuals, families and communities across Canada. Since 2016, there have been more than 9,000 apparent opioid related deaths. In 2017, approximately 11 lives were lost each day because of opioid overdoses. Many others have been hospitalized because of an opioid overdose.” (Source: www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/canada-opioid-crisis-fact-sheet.html)

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Resource Sheet: Canada’s Opioid Crisis

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“From January to November 2021, there were 926 suspected opioid overdoses that have been responded to by EMS​. This is approximately 84 responses per month.” (Source: Opioid Usage – Statistics in Niagara (Niagara Region) )

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“Niagara continues to rank near the top of a list it doesn’t want to be on, at all. “In terms of number of opioid overdose deaths from June 2020 to May 2021, we appear to be the second in the province based on hard numbers,” said Talia Storm, director of Positive Living Niagara’s StreetWorks Harm Reduction Services.” (Source: ‘Terrifying’ statistics continue for Niagara opioid crisis, St. Catharines Standard, Oct 2021)

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Pro-tip – You can also support those impacted by the stigma around needing to use needles by sharing these steps with your communities and by getting trained in harm reduction & Naloxone. To get trained and get a Naloxone kit, please email claurie@positivelivingniagara.com.

• Get trained in harm reduction and Naloxone
• Carry a naloxone kit (pro-tip: wear a button that says “I carry Naloxone”)
• Ask if your workplace has harm reduction built into their health and safety policies & if not, advocate that they be added
• Set up a harm reduction and Naloxone training at your workplace, volunteering locations, and community groups
• Ask businesses you frequent if they have Naloxone onsite and if staff are trained in harm reduction and Naloxone
• Challenge friends, family, and classmates when they use stereotyping language and/or perpetuate stigma
• Collect sharps with friends around community and put them in a sharps container
• Volunteer with Positive Living Niagara