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Health & Wellness

Harm Reduction

What is Harm Reduction?

Harm reduction’s philosophies are simple:

  • reduce the harm associated with substance use by meeting folks where they are at
  • discuss behaviour related to substance use
  • provide supplies for safe consumption.

Harm reduction approaches don’t say “Just don’t use drugs,” because abstinence is only one of many options. Instead, harm reduction arms people with information in order to make their choices safer.

We all practice harm reduction in various ways in our lives already. For example, we know that people are killed by cars every year, but we don’t stop driving. One way to reduce the harm associated with driving is putting a seatbelt on. Another is driving sober. While these measures haven’t eliminated deaths, those rules have reduced the number of deaths.

How to Take a Harm Reduction Approach

  • Test your substances before you take them.
  • Use clean supplies for each use.
  • Make sure that people can access detox in a timely manner if they want to stop using substances.
  • Have a safe consumption site with harm reduction supplies and medical support.

How can I get my substances tested?

Where can I get harm-reduction supplies?

Check out Manitoba 211 (opens in new window) and search Harm Reduction Supplies.

Looking for Help?

Leslie Schroeder

Leslie Schroeder

Youth Mental Health Clinician

Can Help with:

I'm the Community Mental Health Clinician at Futures Forward. I can help you with mental health concerns like relationships, sexuality, behaviours, feelings and t...

Read Bio
Leslie Schroeder

Leslie Schroeder

(she/her)

Youth Mental Health Clinician

Can Help with:

I'm the Community Mental Health Clinician at Futures Forward. I can help you with mental health concerns like relationships, sexuality, behaviours, feelings and thoughts.  This could include skill building, connecting, planning,  debriefing and referrals using a One-At-A-Time model (OAAT). If I can't assist, I can surely help you find someone who can!

Favourite Quote:

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do"- Steve Jobs

Post-Secondary Pathway:

Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Manitoba, and current Masters student

Fun Facts about me:

I really LOVE food, I have a dog and a little human at home, and my favourite season is Fall.