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.
Harm Reduction
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Harm Reduction Manual
The BCCDC and FNHA recently developed the Harm Reduction Manual to bring together best practice guidance for anyone who provides services to people who use substances across BC.
This manual is intended to be a learning tool and reference guide for policymakers and service providers - including nurses, social workers, peer workers, mental health staff, housing workers, and more. It aims to support the delivery of high-quality harm reduction services across a range of health and social service settings and across the comprehensive system of substance use care.
The manual is organized in 12 sections to help readers find the information that’s most relevant to them, including: Truth & Reconciliation, People with Lived and Living Experience of Substance Use, Harm Reduction, Harm Reduction Supplies & Distribution Guidance, Naloxone, Substance in the Unregulated Drug Supply, Safer Substance Use Practice, Overdose Prevention Services, Opioid Poisoning Response, Stimulant Toxicity, and Additional Resources.
The manual will be available online and updated regularly to ensure it stays current and useful for everyday practice.
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Harm Reduction Service Delivery
Harm Reduction
For an overview of the concept of harm reduction and how to use this approach to deliver services, please refer to Section 4 - Harm Reduction of the BCCDC/FNHA co-developed Harm Reduction Manual.
Harm Reduction Supplies & Distribution Guidance
For information about harm reduction supplies, including ordering and distribution guidance, please refer to Section 5 - Harm Reduction Supplies & Distribution Guidance of the BCCDC/FNHA co-developed Harm Reduction Manual.
Distribution Guidance for Inhalation Supplies
How to order, distribute and use safer inhalation supplies. A resource for harm reduction distribution sites.
Distribution Guidance Poster for Inhalation Supplies
A resource for harm reduction distribution sites to support communicating provincial distribution guidance.
Registered Sites
For registered HR sites looking to access the most up-to-date supply order form or how to register see HR sites.
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Webinars
Harm Reduction Webinars
The BCCDC regularly presents webinars on a variety of harm reduction topics which are recorded and available to view.
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Safer Sex & Substance Use
Safer Substance Resources for People who Use Substances
Safer Substance Use resources for individuals can be found here
Naloxone & Overdose Response
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Naloxone Training
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 a complete list of training resources please refer to the links above.
Service providers looking for more detailed guidance drug poisoning response are advised to refer to the BCCDC's provincial Harm Reduction Manual.
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Naloxone
Harm Reduction Manual - Naloxone Guidance
For more information about naloxone, the medication used to reverse opioid poisoning (overdose) please refer to Section 6 - Naloxone of the BCCDC/FNHA co-developed Harm Reduction Manual.
Information is provided on how naloxone works, provincial naloxone programs, where to find naloxone training, and how to distribute naloxone as a registered Take Home Naloxone site.
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Overdose Response
Harm Reduction Manual - Opioid Poisoning Response
For more information on best practices for anyone trained and able to respond to an opioid poisoning outside of a hospital setting, please refer to Section 10 - Opioid Poisoning Response of the BCCDC/FNHA co-developed Harm Reduction Manual.
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Naloxone Programs
Provincial Naloxone Programs
To learn more about our provincial naloxone distribution programs, including information about eligibility and site application information please visit our program pages.
Registered Sites
For sites already enrolled in our distribution programs, please access the Registered Sites page and select on the appropriate program navigation button for the most up-to-date supply program forms and information.
Reports & Evaluations
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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.
