The BCCDC Harm Reduction Strategies and Services program has developed a range of services to promote harm reduction.
A range of services is available to prevent harms from substance use. Some services are:
- Impaired driving prevention campaigns
- Peer support programs
- Needle distribution programs
- Outreach and education
- Substitution therapies
- Supervised consumption facilities
Harm reduction has many benefits for people who use substances, their families, and communities.
Research shows harm reduction activities can:
- Reduce HIV infection and hepatitis
- Reduce overdose deaths and other early deaths among people who use substances
- Reduce injection substance use in public places, and reduce the number of used needles in public
- Reduce the sharing of needles and other substance use equipment
- Educate about safer injecting and reduce injecting frequency
- Educate about safer sex and sexual health and increase condom use
- Reduce crime and increase employment among people who use substances Increase referrals to treatment programs and health and social services
