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Drugs
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Drugs

Safer Substance Use

The National Overdose Response Services Line (NORS) is an overdose prevention hotline for Canadians, providing compassionate, confidential, and nonjudgmental support for people, whenever and wherever they use drugs.  If using drugs alone, call or text (Canada only) 1-888-688-6677 (NORS).

Learn how you can help friends and family who use substances stay safe when using drugs by watching this video created by the Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs (CAPUD):  How to Spot Someone so They Never Use Alone.

Safer substance use (harm reduction) is an evidence-based approach used to reduce health and social harms that can be caused by substance use.  Harm Reduction recognizes that quitting the use of substances may not be right for everyone. It is important for information to be available to ensure that all people have the opportunity to be as safe and well as possible.

Harm reduction focuses on working with people without judgement, coercion, or discrimination.  It strives to keep people alive and encourages positive change in their lives.

Safer substance use (harm reduction) can:

  • reduce the transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B & C from sharing equipment, keeping people healthier and decreasing healthcare costs,
  • provide education on the benefits of using new 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.  Safer injection and smoking supplies are provided free of charge at SMDHU offices and many community partners.

  • Safe injecting kits including, sterile needles, spoons (cookers), alcohol swabs, sterile water, tourniquets, and when requested vitamin C.
  • Safe smoking kits including, glass stems or bowl pipes, screens, and mouth pieces.
  • Naloxone kits
  • Disposal bins/receptacles for the safe disposal of used needles, stems, pipes, and other substance use equipment.
  • Education about safer substance use and about community supports.

For additional information on the safe use of substances:

Find a needle exchange site near you:

 

Bradford Drug Mart

Location: 54 Holland Street West, Bradford, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Krasman Centre

Location: 17 Paris Street, Alliston, ON
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres (OATC) Alliston

Location: 96 Victoria Street West, Lower Level, Alliston, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Thursday 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Friday 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

SHIFT (Support and Hope for Individuals and Families Today)

Location: 123 Victoria Street West, Alliston, ON
Hours of Operation:
Open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 7 days a week

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit – Cookstown

Location: 25 King Street South, Unit 2, Cookstown, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Allandale Pharmasave

Location: 21 Essa Road, Unit C, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Barrie Downtown Pharmasave

Location: 79 Dunlop Street West, Unit C, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Canadian Mental Health Association – Simcoe County Branch

Location: 128 Anne Street South, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location: 134 Anne Street South, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Elizabeth Fry Society Simcoe Muskoka

Location: 102 Maple Avenue, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week

Gilbert Centre

Location: 80 Bradford Street, Unit 525, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday, Thursday and Friday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

John Howard Society of Simcoe and Muskoka - Barrie

Location: 78 Mulcaster Street, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday and Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit – Clinic, Barrie

Location: 80 Bradford Street, Unit 403, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit – Main Office, Barrie

Location: 15 Sperling Drive, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Busby Centre

Location: 88 - 90 Mulcaster Street, Barrie, ON (entrance is off McDonald Street)
Hours of Operation:
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week


Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres (OATC) Collingwood

Location: 275 First Street, Unit 3, Collingwood, ON
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit – Collingwood

Location: 280 Pretty River Parkway, Collingwood, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

South Georgian Bay Community Health Centre

Location: 14 Ramblewood Drive, Unit 202 (2nd Floor), Wasaga Beach, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Canadian Mental Health Association – Muskoka-Parry Sound Branch

Location: 173 Manitoba Street, Unit 202, Bracebridge, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres (OATC) – Bracebridge

Location: 17500 Muskoka District Road 118 West, Unit 5, Bracebridge, ON
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday and Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed between 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.)

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit – Gravenhurst

Location: 5 Pine Ridge Gate, Unit 2, Gravenhurst, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Moose Deer Point Health Centre

Location: 1025 Mitawbik Road, Unit C, MacTier, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres (OATC) - Huntsville

Location: 15 Manominee Street, Unit 2A, Huntsville, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit – Huntsville

Location: 34 Chaffey Street, Huntsville, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

NOTE: 24-hour needle disposal unit mounted on the back of the building facing Fetterly Street.

Canadian Mental Health Association - Simcoe County Branch

Location: 741 Young Street, Midland, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Thursday 9:00 am to 4:00 p.m.

Chigamik Community Health Centre

Location: 287 Bayshore Drive, Midland, ON
Clients of the CHC and community members can access this in a bilingual, culturally relevant setting.
Hours of Operation:
Monday and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
(closed daily between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.)

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit - Midland

Location: 925 Hugel Avenue, Unit A, Midland, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m.to 4:30 p.m.

The Guest House

Location: 522 Elizabeth Street, Midland, ON
Hours of Operation:
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week

Canadian Mental Health Association – Simcoe County Branch

Location: 50 Nottawasaga Street, Orillia, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location: 76 Nottawasaga Street, Orillia, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Downtown Dispensary

Location:188 Mississauga Street East, Orillia, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

John Howard Society of Simcoe and Muskoka - Orillia

​Location: 17 Colborne Street East, Unit 109, Orillia, ON
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday and Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (by appointment only)

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit – Orillia

Location: 169 Front Street South, Unit 120, Orillia, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

NOTE: 24 hour needle disposal unit mounted, located to the right of the Common Roof main entrance.

​The Lighthouse

​Location: 75 Queen Street East, Orillia, ON
Hours of Operation:
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week

Used needles, stems, pipes and all other supplies can be disposed of safely to decrease the chance of equipment being left in public spaces.

  • Drop off used equipment in sharps containers or other safe containers at any health unit location.
  • 24-hour needle drop box locations at are also available:
    • Barrie Health Unit location, 80 Bradford Street, Barrie
    • Barrie RAAM Clinic , 70 Wellington Street West, Barrie
    • The Busby Centre, 88 Mulcaster Street, Barrie
    • Chigamik Community Health Centre, 287 Bayshore Drive, Midland
    • Midland CMHA location, 741 Young Street, Midland
    • Orillia CMHA location, 50 Nottawasaga, Orillia
    • Orillia CMHA location, 76 Nottawasaga, Orillia
    • The Common Roof, 169 Front Street South, Orillia
    • The Lighthouse, 75 Queen Street East, Orillia
    • Moose Deer Point Health Centre, 1025 Mitawbik Road, MacTier
    • Huntsville Health Unit location, 34 Chaffey Street, Huntsville

Link: Find a community disposal site

For more information call the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit 705-721-7520 or toll free at 1-877-721-7520 and ask to speak with a Nurse about Harm Reduction or Needle Exchange.

What to do if you find needles in your community

Needles (sharps) are items that may be contaminated with body fluids, such as blood, and can puncture or cut skin. Some examples are:

  • Used needles
  • Used syringes with needles attached
  • Lancets (used for skin prick blood samples)
  • Used razors

What to do if you find a sharp(s)?

DO:

  • Find a hard plastic container with a lid (e.g., bleach or peanut butter container) and put it on a flat surface. Do not hold the container.
  • Wear gloves or use tongs to pick up the needle. Put the needle (sharp end pointing down) into the container.
  • Tighten the lid on the container.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water right after.
  • Take the container to your local health unit office or household hazardous waste disposal site.

 

DO NOT:

  • Try to remove, bend, or recap the needle.
  • Flush sharps down the toilet or throw them in the garbage or recycling box.

Children should never touch a discarded needles but show an adult where it is. “If it’s not yours, don’t touch.”


Do You Have a Needle Stick Injury?

  1. Stay calm. The risk of infection from illnesses such as Tetanus, Hepatitis B, C and HIV is very low.
  2. Let the wound bleed freely. Do not squeeze, suck, scrub, or rub the wound.
  3. Wash the wound with soap and water as soon as possible.
  4. See a healthcare provider right away.

 

Immunizations are required throughout your lifetime. Talk to your healthcare provider about Tetanus and Hepatitis B immunizations you might be missing.

Resources
Supervised consumption services (Consumption and Treatment Service) sites provide a safer environment for people to use substances.  In addition, they offer a wide spectrum of resources and support and provide the opportunity to refer individuals to other community services available to help people remain as healthy and safe as possible.  This may include information about treatment options if requested
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