Safer substance use recognizes that quitting the use of substances may not be realistic for everyone. As a result it means providing people who use drugs with the information and resources they need to prevent overdose and other harms.
Safer substance use can:
- reduce the transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B & C from sharing equipment, thereby decreasing healthcare costs,
- provide education on the risks of sharing needles, smoking and other drug equipment,
- reduce the number of overdoses and deaths from substance use,
- provide a supportive safe environment where individuals can access health, counselling and social services.
A variety of resources can help ensure safer substance use.
Currently SMDHU offers:
- Safe injecting kits
- Safe smoking kits
- Naloxone kits
- Disposal bins/receptacles
Supervised consumption services can also be created to offer a wide spectrum of treatment and safe drug use opportunities.
Additional information about safer substance use can be found here:
