Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
MoreBack to News Headlines
What is harm reduction and how is it supposed to work?

What is harm reduction and how is it supposed to work?

CBC
Sunday, February 4, 2024 1:48 PM GMT

The opposition to Charlottetown's Community Outreach Centre and a proposed supervised consumption site has been vocal.

Residents complain about public drug use and discarded needles, and harm reduction programs have come under fire by some city councillors.

The heart of the issue is how to help P.E.I.'s increasingly visible population of drug users — and whether drug use is a public health issue at all.

Dr. Heather Morrison, P.E.I.'s chief public health officer, says harm reduction isn't just about drug use or preventing the spread of disease.

"It includes putting your seatbelt on. It includes wearing a helmet when you are going out on a bicycle," she said. "This is to reduce the risk associated with activities you are going to be doing anyway."

When it comes to drug use and addiction, a harm-reduction approach doesn't mean getting people to stop taking drugs. It recognizes that people are going to use drugs and simply aims to limit the risks.

That means things like handing out clean needles to stop the spread of disease, distributing Naloxone to reverse the effects of an overdose, or running a supervised consumption site where people can use drugs and get them tested.

But Morrison said harm reduction is just one piece of the puzzle.

"We talk about really the importance of three things: prevention, treatment and harm reduction. You can't have one on its own, it's really important to have all three. So it's not an either-or," she said.

"We know those individuals who use an overdose prevention site are more likely to get linked into treatment and the evidence would support that in many different peer-reviewed articles."

Supervised consumption sites are places people can bring their drugs to get tested for things like fentanyl, and take drugs in a place where they're supervised by people who know what to do if there's an accidental overdose. Staff vary from site to site but can include nurses, peer support and social workers.

It's also a way to connect people to things like addiction treatment if they want. 

"It will save lives. So decrease the number of fatal overdoses, but also it will decrease public substance use," Morrison said. "It's not going to solve everything but it is one important piece."

Opioid-related deaths are at an all-time high. In the first half of 2023, there were 3,970 deaths reported across Canada. On P.E.I., 14 accidental opioid-related overdoses were reported in that same time. Two of those people died.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Police continue search for body of Jennifer Hillier-Penney

About 60 kilometres away from St. Anthony, on Newfoundland's Northern Peninsula, the RCMP is involved in a major undertaking down a long dirt road in an area known as Northwest Arm.

All scenarios being considered, RCMP say 5 weeks after N.S. children disappeared

A member of the RCMP's major crime unit says it's taking "longer than we hoped" to advance the investigation into two missing Nova Scotia children who vanished from a rural community more than five weeks ago.

Province will spend $6.5M to keep paramedic, EMT graduates in N.B.

The province has announced a $6.5-million bursary program for paramedic and emergency medical technician students that train in New Brunswick and commit to working in the province.

More victims, bloodshed were intended in sword attack at Brandon high school: police

WARNING | This story contains graphic details.

Sask. quietly ends its response to U.S. tariffs

In March, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announced his government's response to U.S. tariffs. Three months later, those measures are ending.

Uncontrolled wildfires keep Alberta on edge as thousands remain displaced

Even as firefighters get relief from extreme heat and harsh winds, Alberta's most dangerous wildfires are continuing to burn near communities under threat. 

It's 1 year until the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Is Vancouver ready?

One year out from the FIFA World Cup, questions remain about where soccer fans visiting Vancouver will stay and how much it will cost to keep the city safe. 

What vehicles are allowed in bike lanes? In Toronto, there is no one answer

Toronto needs a single set of rules for bike lanes in the city, a council committee decided on Wednesday.

Mother in Old Crow, Yukon, starts petition to clean up and improve recreational spaces

Living in a small and remote northern community like Old Crow, Yukon, can mean limited access to recreational activities — especially when many of the spaces meant for activities like baseball or soccer are being instead used to store industrial equipment and supplies.

Mark Carney has a national unity problem. A Liberal voice in Calgary might help

Viewed from a certain angle, it could be read as good news that only 30 per cent of Albertans believe their province would be better off on its own, a share that has grown only slightly over the last five years. In a hypothetical referendum, just 28 per cent said they would vote to secede. 

Toronto police identify boy, 15, fatally shot on weekend in Weston

Toronto police have identified a 15-year-old boy who died in hospital after he was shot in Weston neighbourhood on Saturday night.

Rob Lantz confirms he won't run for permanent leadership of P.E.I. Progressive Conservatives

Premier Rob Lantz says he won't seek the permanent leadership of P.E.I.'s Progressive Conservative Party, after previously saying people had been asking him to run for the position.

Alberta premier says province is looking to entice private-sector pipeline builder

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government is working to entice a private-sector player to build a crude oil pipeline to coastal waters.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
New road closures in effect for Friday the 13th biker rally in Port Dover, Ont.

The only Friday the 13th of the year is coming up this week and for Port Dover, Ont., that means the return of the famous biker rally. 

Windsor Stellantis workers returning to 2 full shifts earlier than anticipated

Stellantis workers at the Windsor, Ont., assembly plant are returning to two full shifts a week earlier than previously expected. 

Wildfire smoke carries short- and long-term health risks, Alberta experts warn

As Alberta faces the prospect of another summer plagued by wildfire smoke, experts are urging people to monitor conditions and take steps to protect their long-term health.

Drug analyzer goes mobile in Thunder Bay, Ont., in wake of consumption site's closure

Before Justin Gill began working at NorWest Community Health Centres (NWCHC), he thought fentanyl was the most toxic substance impacting drug users in Thunder Bay, Ont.

New report details 'concerning' structural damage at Elizabeth Ziegler Public School

A crumbling façade is just the beginning of several major structural issues plaguing Elizabeth Zielger Public School (EZPS) in Waterloo, according to a long-awaited engineering report released Wednesday.

'Not here to scare people,' but P.E.I. watchdog raising alarm bells about historic debt levels

P.E.I.'s auditor general says the province's net debt, the highest in the province's history, is unsustainable.

Weight of traditional knowledge discussed at public hearing for Diavik's water licence

A handful of Indigenous governments want to see more criteria enshrined in the conditions of Diavik diamond mine's new water licence, to determine that water will be safe for cultural uses.

What you need to know about the G7 summit in Alberta

The news

G7: Why there is hope of a Carney-Trump tariff breakthrough at Alberta summit

Global trade will be a major focus at next week's G7 summit as world leaders gather in Alberta, including U.S. President Donald Trump, who will be making his first appearance at a major international event since returning to the White House in January.

As Toronto teen lay dying, witness says health centre ignored cries for help

Moments after he was shot in Toronto's Weston neighbourhood Saturday night, a teenage boy lay bleeding out in front of a local health-care centre — and one witness says her repeated cries for help at the facility's front door were ignored. 

2 cities, 2 buildings and 1 fugitive landlord leaves tenants in unlivable conditions

A wanted fugitive accused of being the ringleader of a grandparent scam has left tenants in two southwestern Ontario cities with a host of maintenance issues and no one to turn to for help. 

Are there 'snooping provisions' in Carney's massive border bill?

Conservatives and New Democrats don't agree on much, but it appears both have issues with provisions tucked into Bill C-2, the Carney government's Strong Borders Act.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us