Harm Reduction Works @ PARN

PARN provides harm reduction supplies to people who use injection and inhalation drugs in order to reduce the risk of HIV transmission and other blood-borne infections.

Harm reduction is a range of pragmatic and evidence-based policies and practices designed to minimize the harmful consequences of drug use and other high risk activities.

It focuses on supporting people as they attempt to make informed decisions about their use and remain as safe as possible. Harm reduction strategies respect a person’s right to continue to use while providing options, support and resources to minimize the negative consequences or “harm” that may result.

Non-judgmental service delivery means meeting people where they are at and is the heart of a Harm Reduction approach.

The Ontario Public Health Standards (2008) state that the Boards of Health in all Public Health Regions “shall ensure access to a variety of harm reduction program delivery models which shall include the provision of sterile needles and syringes and may include other evidence-informed harm reduction strategies in response to local surveillance.”