Resource Page
This web page collates a variety of Toward the Heart resources by topic. Due to the unpredictable and unregulated drug supply, information can change and many of our resources are currently under review. We recommend checking this page regularly. If you can't find what you are looking for, or if you have questions about any of our resources, please email harmreduction@bccdc.ca.
Guidelines and Reports
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Best Practice Guidelines
BCCDC Opioid Overdose Response Toolkit (Dec 2020)
The opioid overdose response toolkit is intended for all service providers, including regulated and non-regulated service providers and paramedics, who are responding to opioid overdoses across British Columbia (BC). This toolkit does not replace workplace or employer overdose response (e.g., naloxone) policies and procedures; and does not apply to naloxone dispensation.
Best Practice Recommendations - Canadian Harm Reduction Programs
These recommendations, updated in 2021, were developed by CATIE to support service providers to develop, redesign and evaluate programs for people who use drugs and who are at risk for HIV, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and other harms.
Guidelines for Providing Harm Reduction Services to Youth in BC
This information also exists as Appendix 3 of the HRSS Policy and Guidelines. Last updated October, 2023.
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Peer Engagement
Community Research Report - Peer Work
Findings and recommendations from BC's Peer Engagement and Evaluation Project.
Best Practice Guidelines
Refer to Best Practice Guidelines above for additional guidelines regarding Peer Engagement.
Compassionate Engagement Modules
To access the Compassionate Engagement Modules visit the Peer Engagement page of our website.
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Program Evaluations
THN Program Evaluation Report - To Dec 2020
Updated evaluation report for the BC THN program, including data up until Dec 2020
Research Brief - Naloxone Distribution in BC and The Role of Community Pharmacies
A research summary on accessing THN in BC and the role of community pharmacies: results from the analysis of adminsitrative data (Sept 2020).
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Reports
BC Harm Reduction Client Survey Background and Findings Report
This report provides an overview of background and findings of the BC harm reduction client survey throughout the years.
HRSS Indicators Report 2019 (July 2020)
BC Harm Reduction Strategies and Services (HRSS) Committee Policy Indicators Report including data until December 2019.
Harm Reduction
- General Information
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Harm Reduction Toolkits
CATIE - Harm Reduction Fundamentals Tookit
This toolkit provides foundational information on harm reduction for service providers working with people who use drugs (including support workers, outreach workers, nurses and workers with lived and living experience). The toolkit is free to access and is available to anyone to use or share for personal learning, organizational trainings and/or other capacity-building efforts.
Trans Care BC - Hormone Injection Supplies Toolkit
The Hormone Injection Supplies Toolkit is created for harm reduction sites and any organization or program interested in offering hormone injection supplies, and providing inclusive harm reduction services for trans, gender diverse, and Two-Spirit people. This resource was developed by Trans Care BC in collaboration with Toward the Heart and Professionals for Ethical Engagement of Peers (PEEP) of the BC Centre for Disease Control.
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Wound Care
Wound Care Guide_Colour
A guide intended to support individuals in managing wounds with guidance on when to seek cautionary or urgent healthcare. The information in this guide is duplicated over 2 pages, one with guiding photos and the other without.
A Harm Reduction Approach to Wound Care
An informational poster intended for those providing healthcare services to support a harm reduction approach to wound care.
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Safer Sex & Substance Use
Registered Sites
For registered HR sites looking to access the most up-to-date supply order form or how to register see HR sites.
Video- Guidance for Injecting Tablet Medication
- Needles & Syringes
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Extreme Weather Events
Naloxone
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General Information
Naloxone Training
For information about how to use naloxone and how to recognize and respond to an opioid drug poisonign please see our Naloxone Training & Resources page.
Program Eligibility and Registrations
To learn more about the BC Take Home Naloxone program, including information on eligibility and how to apply visit the Take Home Naloxone Supply Program page.
To learn more about the BC Facility Overdose Response Box program, including information on eligibility and how to apply visit the Facility Overdose Response Box Program page.
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Take Home Naloxone Program
Registered Sites
For sites already enrolled in the Take Home Naloxone program access the Registered Sites page for the most up-to-date supply order form, other program forms and updates.
For resources to support training, visit the Naloxone Training page.
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Facility Overdose Response Box Program
Registered Sites
For registered FORB sites looking to access the most up-to-date supply order form, naloxone administration form and program management resouces see FORB sites.
Overdose
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Overdose Prevention Services
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Overdose Response
- Naloxone should be injected into a large muscle group such as the thigh or upper arm
- We no longer recommend injection into the butt/gluteal muscle
- We no longer recommend using a sternal rub to see if someone is responsive and do not recommend shaking or slapping.
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- Instead squeeze their fingertips or the muscle between the neck and shoulder
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- Injectable naloxone wears off after 30-120 minutes
- This has changed from earlier guidance of 20-90 minutes
- Once normal breathing is restored, stop giving naloxone. Otherwise give another dose every 3 minutes until breathing normally.
- This has changed from earlier guidance of 3-5 minutes
Naloxone 101 Course
This is a self-guided, interactive naloxone course on how to recognize and respond to a drug poisoning, including how to use naloxone. This course takes approximately one hour to complete.
For other training tools visit the Naloxone Training & Resources page.
Responding to a Drug Poisoning Brochure
Updated September, 2024. Previously called the 'Overdose Survival Guide'. This resource is available to order for registered Take Home Naloxone sites.
SAVE ME Steps for NaloxoneTraining.com
This Video outlines the SAVE ME Steps for responding to an overdose.
Please Note: The unregulated drug supply is unpredictable and information about how to recognize and respond to a drug poisoning (overdose) can change. The following information in this SAVE ME video has changed:
We thank you for your patience as we work to update our resources.
- Naloxone should be injected into a large muscle group such as the thigh or upper arm
- General Information
- Toxic Substances in the Supply
