Overdose Prevention & Harm Reduction: Support Others

 
 Harm Reduction Approach | Raven's Eye Sa​​ge Sites | All Paths Lead to Wellness​ | Taking Care of Each Other | Indigenizing Harm Reduction | Take-Home Naloxone | Resources | FNHA Indigenous ​Wellness Program

​​​​​​​​​Harm​​ Reduction Approach

Harm reduction aims to meet people where they are at with open arms, acceptance, and compassion, not judgment or shame. Harm reduction recognizes that every life is valuable and that substance use and addiction are complex and challenging. ​​​​​​​​​​​

Connecting to Culture – Indigenous Harm Reduction

The 'Connecting to Culture' video series includes three videos. The videos are teaching tools intended to support discussions in First Nations communities about harm reduction, substance use and stigma. The series uses an Indigenous lens and includes the perspectives of Elders, peers and youth. 

Raven's Eye Sa​​ge Sites

Raven’s Eye Sage Sites Service Delivery Framework​ – A guide for establishing and running an on-demand overdose prevention site for First Nations​ (FNHA document)

All Paths Lead to Wellness

All Paths Lead to Wellness Conversation-Starter – A detailed image that reflects the wide spectrum of programs and services that are available for people who use substances

Supporting Opioid Use Disorder and Opioid Agonist Therapy 

Supporting Opioid Use Disorder ​​and Opioid Agonist Therapy - A resource to support nurses who work in First Nations communities providing trauma-informed and culturally safe care to clients who are prescribed Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT).​

Taking Care o​f Each Other

FNHA and Vancouver Coastal Health worked with filmmaker Asia Youngman to create a video series about Indigenous Harm Reduction. These videos are a teaching tool to help start discussions in Indigenous communities about harm reduction, substance use, and stigma, all from Indigenous perspectives.

We were especially interested in sharing the perspective of our dearly missed friend and colleague, Tracey Morrison. At the time of filming, Tracey was the president of the Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction Society. We are grateful that we are able to share her inspiring words as we host these important discussions in Indigenous communities across the province and beyond.​​

Indigenizing Harm Reduction

Take-Home Naloxone

Take Home Naloxone is a provincial program run through the BC Centre for Disease Control that aims to expand access to naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug that prevents overdose death. 

Physicians and Nurse Practitioners can write prescriptions for Naloxone. With the expansion of this program, Naloxone kits can also be ordered and dispensed by registered nurses to people with past or current opioid use (prescription or non-prescription). It is crucial for community health nurses to be engaged with people who are using drugs; otherwise, this life-saving treatment will not reach those most in need.

To register your community as a Take Home Naloxone site:

  1. complete Take Home Naloxone: Information for New Sites 
  2. fax to (604) 707-2516

For questions about the registration process, email:  outreach@towardtheheart.com

For more information, see Toward the Heart.

 FNHA Overdose Prevention & Harm Reduction Information

 Public Health Info Lines

BC Drug & Poison Info Centre (Anonymous Non-Emergency Assistance): 1-800-567-8911

Healthlink BC: 811

 Please Note

​​This material may trigger unpleasant feelings or thoughts. Please contact the 24 Hour KUU-US Crisis Line at 1-800-588-8717 if you need emotional support.​


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