What is harm reduction?
Harm reduction is an evidence-based approach to programs and policies that aims to reduce the negative impacts of risky health behaviours. At its core, harm reduction is about meeting people where they are and respecting their individual autonomy and dignity. For example, rather than expecting students to completely abstain from behaviours which might risk their health, like using drugs and alcohol, partying or having sex, a harm reduction approach provides services and resources to help students do those things more safely.
At UTSG’s Health & Wellness Centre, we strive to provide students with the appropriate education, resources and supplies to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Harm reduction resources within U of T
- Health & Wellness Centre
The Health & Wellness Centre provides a range of services to support you to explore safer ways to engage in activities you want to do. As a student, you can:
- Speak to our doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals about your drug and alcohol use, sexual activity, or partying.
- Receive referrals to addiction services, rehabilitation services, STI/STD testing sites, HIV consultations, and more.
- Receive sexual and reproductive health counselling and education including PrEP resources, birth control consultations (birth control pills, IUD insertions, emergency contraception), pregnancy support, as well as STI education and care.
- Receive mental health services, including single session counselling, intensive counselling or psychotherapy, group therapy, or peer support.
Location: 700 Bay St (Bay and Gerrard)
- Discovery Pharmacy
Discovery Pharmacy is the University of Toronto’s dedicated campus pharmacy, providing pharmacy and interdisciplinary health services to the U of T community. You can:
- Receive Naloxone and Naloxone Training.
- Clean out your medicine cabinet with Discovery Pharmacy’s Medical Disposal Program.
- Receive General counselling or a health service orientation, including one tailored to international students.
Location: 144 College St, Rm 332 (Right outside of Queen’s Park Station)
- Sexual Education Centre
The Sexual Education Centre offers a free, confidential, non-judgmental peer support approach to sex education to all University of Toronto students, faculty, staff, community members and organizations. You can:
- Attend presentations or workshops.
- Receive safer sex supplies.
- Receive peer support.
- Request library and print resources.
- Receive connections to Sexual Health Clinics and community resources.
- U of T Telus Health Student Support
U of T Telus Health Student Support provides students with real-time and/or appointment-based confidential, 24-hour support for any school, health, or general life concern at no cost to you. You can call or chat with a counsellor directly from your phone whenever, wherever you are.
- You can access U of T Telus Health Student Support (formerly U of T My SSP) 24/7 by calling 1-844-451-9700.
- Outside of North America, call 001-416-380-6578.
Harm reduction resources in the community
- Safer drug use resources
Safe use supplies and disposal
The Ontario Harm Reduction Distribution Program co-ordinates the distribution of harm reduction supplies to core Harm Reduction Programs through a licensed distributor.
Ontario pharmacies free naloxone kits
The Ontario Ministry of Health maintains a map of naloxone distribution sites across the province.
Find a pharmacy near you that distributes naloxone.
Supervised consumption and overdose prevention sites
Life-saving health service that provides a safe and hygienic environment for people to inject pre-obtained drugs under the supervision of qualified staff.
Find a supervised consumption service near you.
ConnexOntario
ConnexOntario is a provincial navigation service that helps connect Ontarians to mental health, addictions and problem gambling services.
Call 1-866-531-2600 to be connected to services.
Learn more about ConnexOntario.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital. Get informed with clear, reliable information about mental illness and addiction, including treatment and recovery.
Concurrent Outpatient Medical & Psychosocial Addiction Support Services (COMPASS) is an outpatient service specializing in evidence–based, medical and psychosocial interventions for clients with addiction/concurrent disorder concerns.
Location: 1000 Queen St. W. (Queen and Ossington)
Call CAMH Info Line: 1-800-463-6273
Email: info@camh.ca
Addiction Services – Breaking Free
Breaking Free is an evidence-based digital program that allows people to recognize and actively address the psychological and lifestyle issues that are driving their use of alcohol and/or drugs. Based on Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, mindfulness and other proven therapeutic approaches, the program gives people a comprehensive toolkit of resources, positive coping strategies and proven behaviour change techniques to support their long-term recovery.
CAMH Nicotine Dependence Clinic
A leading hub for smoking and vaping treatment, research and education. Can receive support from a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, counselling support and more. Now offering virtual services.
Location: 1025 Queen St. W., 5th Floor (Queen and Ossington)
Learn more about CAMH Nicotine Dependence Clinic.
Across Boundaries
Serving racialized people with mental health and addiction issues throughout the greater Toronto area.
Location: 51 Clarkson Avenue (Caledonia Rd and Castlefield Ave)
Access services at Across Boundaries.
Toronto Public Health – The Works Harm Reduction
The Works Harm Reduction is a safe consumption site that provides:
- Safer injection equipment (needles, sterile water, alcohol swabs, tourniquets, filters, acidifiers, cookers).
- Safer smoking equipment (pyrex stems, brass screens, pushsticks, mouthpieces, safer crystal meth smoking equipment, glass bowl pipes).
- Drug checking services.
- Naloxone kits & overdose response training.
Location: 277 Victoria St. (Yonge and Dundas)
Check out a full list of services provided at The Works.
St Stephen’s Community House Overdose Prevention Site
St. Stephen’s Community House is a community hub offering a range of services, including the Kensington Market Overdose Prevention Site, which provides:
- Harm reduction education and supplies
- Connections to health services
- Counselling
- Naloxone Kits
Location: 260 Augusta Ave.(College and Augusta)
Learn more about substance use supports.
Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre - Harm Reduction Programs
Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre (Parkdale Queen West CHC) is a community-based health service organization located in south-west Toronto that offers a broad range of services.
Harm Reduction Rooms provide a safe and welcoming environment for people to discuss safer drug use and safer sex practices. Supplies provided include:
- Safer injection kits
- Crack kits
- Smoking foils
- Crystal meth pipes
- Foil chasing the dragon smoking kits
- Naloxone distribution
- Testosterone/steroid kits
- Safe disposal of used harm reduction equipment
- Other safer drug use equipment (e.g. cookers, water, ties, vitamin C, and sharps containers)
Supervised Consumption Services at the Queen West Site provide a safe environment where, under the supervision of staff, it is legal to possess and consume drugs. Individuals can access drug checking services here.
Location: 168 Bathurst St. (Bathurst and Queen) AND 1229 Queen St. W. (Parkdale site)
Learn more about PQWCHC’s harm reduction programming.
South Riverdale Community Health Centre – Safe Consumption and Treatment Services
South Riverdale Community Health Centre is a non-profit, multi-service organization that provides primary healthcare, social and community outreach services with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention primarily to people in East Toronto.
- KeepSIX Safe Consumption and Treatment Services provides a safe environment where under the supervision of staff, it is legal to possess and consume drugs. Individuals can access drug checking services here. It also provides access to a range of harm reduction supplies, materials and equipment including:
- Needles and syringes,
- Safer crack kits,
- Safer crystal meth kits,
- Safer injection kits,
- Stems,
- Screens,
- and more.
- Naloxone kits
- Safer Opiate Supply Program aims to address the overdose crisis by transitioning people away from toxic and contaminated street opioids to pharmaceutical grade opioids.
Location: 955 Queen St. E. (Queen and Carlaw)
Learn more about South Riverdale’s Harm Reduction services.
AIDS Committee of Toronto – Spunk! Program
A support group for gay/bi/queer men who want to make changes regarding their drug use, whether those changes are harm reduction or abstinence.
Location: 543 Yonge St., 4th Floor (Yonge and Wellesley)
Find more information about SPUNK! or contact spunk@actoronto.org.
Breakaway Community Services – Pieces to Pathways
A peer-led initiative offering Canada’s first substance use support program for LGBTQIA2S+ youth ages 16-29.
Location: 21 Strickland Ave. (Queen and Dufferin)
Find more information about Breakaway Community Services – Pieces to Pathways.
- Safer sex and HIV prevention resources
Ontario Sexual Health Clinics
Provides free and confidential clinical services for all eligible individuals who require:
- Birth control counselling
- Low-cost birth control
- Free condoms
- Emergency contraceptive pill
- Sexually transmitted infection testing & treatment
- HIV testing, counselling & referral
- Pregnancy testing, counselling & referral
Find a sexual health clinic near you.
Toronto Public Health – The Works
Provides safer sex products, such as condoms and lube.
Location: 277 Victoria St. (Yonge and Dundas)
Check out a full list of services provided at The Works.
Toronto Public Health – Sexual Health Infoline Ontario (SHILO)
The Sexual Health Infoline Ontario (SHILO) is a free, anonymous and inclusive eChat and phone service for Ontario residents. This service is staffed by counsellors who provide information, support and referrals in English, French and other languages on sexual health topics.
- Toll-free: 1-800-668-2437
- Local: 416-392-2437
Find more information about SHILO.
St. Stephen’s Community House – HIV/AIDS Prevention and Support Program
St. Stephen’s Community House is a community hub that provides a range of services including an HIV/AIDS Prevention and Support program that provides:
- Anonymous HIV testing
- Workshops
- Support groups
- Free safe sex supplies
- Counseling
Location: 260 Augusta Ave. (College and Augusta)
Learn more about St. Stephen’s harm reduction supports.
Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre - HIV Testing and Sex-Positive Services
Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre (Parkdale Queen West CHC) is a community-based health service organization located in south-west Toronto that offers a broad range of services.
- Provides Anonymous HIV Testing on an appointment or drop-in basis 4 days a week, it is open to all members of the public.
- KAPOW is a harm reduction-based, sex-positive, trans-inclusive breakfast to reconnect with the community.
- Safer sex products available.
Locations: 168 Bathurst St. (Bathurst and Queen) AND 1229 Queen St. W. (Parkdale site)
Planned Parenthood Toronto
Planned Parenthood Toronto is a youth-driven, anti-racist, culturally-responsive community health centre.
The Health Services Peer Education provides information and support on sexual and reproductive health issues in the Planned Parenthood Youth Clinic.
Planned Parenthood Toronto provides information on:
- Birth control options, including IUDs
- Pregnancy options, including abortion and prenatal care
- Sexual pleasure
- Safer sex and relationship navigation
- How to pay for some sexual and reproductive health services if you don’t have a health card
- Other services that might fit your needs, including referrals
- Any other questions you have about sexual health
Planned Parenthood Toronto can help you acquire:
- A pregnancy test
- Emergency contraception (the morning after pill)
Location: 36B Prince Arthur Ave. (Bedford and Bloor)
Learn more about Planned Parenthood Toronto.
The Bay Centre at Women’s College Hospital – Sexual Health Care
Provides comprehensive and inclusive sexual health care for people of all genders, including:
- Pap tests
- Testing and treatment for STIs
- Safer sex counselling and information
Location: 76 Grenville St., 3rd Floor (Bay and College)
Learn more about The Bay Centre.
AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT)
Provides free counselling to anyone living with HIV, knows someone living with HIV, or is concerned about their risk of HIV. ACT provides a range of counselling services free of charge to those who have trouble accessing quality care due to poverty, sexism, gender identity, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, racism, xenophobia, drug use and social isolation.
Find more information about ACT.
Sexfluent – Online Education Resource
Sexfluent is a youth-driven initiative by CANFAR (Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research). They provide information about harm reduction, safe sex, safe drug use and HIV prevention.
- Safer partying resources
Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre – TRIP! Project
Provides a safe space for youth who party to access resources and information, including:
- Fentanyl test kits
- Harm reduction supplies
- Safe sex supplies (lube, condoms, dental dams)
- Naloxone distribution
- Safer body piercing kits
Location: 168 Bathurst St (Bathurst St & Queen St)
Learn more about TRIP! Project.
Toronto Vibe – Online Resource
Provides safer drug use information for people partying in Toronto’s gay, bi, queer men’s party scenes, however this information may be useful for everyone.
- Responsible gambling and gaming resources
CAMH Problem Gambling and Technology Use Treatment Services
Offers services for individuals whose gambling or technology use (Internet, computer, gaming, social media and smart phone) is problematic, and has led to difficulties in other parts of their lives including relationships, school achievement, finances and work.
Location: 1000 Queen St. W. (Queen and Ossington (map))
Learn more about CAMH Problem Gambling and Technology Use Treatment Services.
Responsible Gambling Council (RGC)
Provides education and resources for youth and young adults involved in problematic gambling and online betting. RGC connects youth with support to address problem gambling.
Learn more about supports available to young adults.
Addiction Services of Central Ontario – Problem Gambling
Provides assessment, information and counselling for problem gambling.
Learn more about Addiction Services of Central Ontario – Problem Gambling or call the Intake Department: 905-841-7007 or 1-800-263-2288 ext. 322.
Connex Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline
Connex provides information about problem gambling treatment resources in Ontario.
Call: 1-888-230-3505
Myths and facts about harm reduction
Myth: Harm reduction is only for people who use drugs.
Fact: Harm reduction applies to any behaviour. Wearing a seatbelt to mitigate injury in case of a car accident is harm reduction!
Learn more about what harm reduction is.
Myth: Harm reduction encourages risky behaviours like substance use.
Fact: Harm reduction acknowledges the real harm behind risky behaviours, and aims to reduce its impact rather than expecting complete and immediate abstinence.
Read this study to learn more about harm reduction as an approach.
Myth: Harm reduction is opposed to abstinence.
Fact: Harm reduction supports all options for safer and/or managed use, including total abstinence.
Learn more about what harm reduction is and examples of harm reduction.
More harm reduction information and resources
Harm reduction information (Different languages and media included)
- CAMH Harm Reduction Fact Sheet and Community Resources (PDF)
- Understanding Harm Reduction: Substance Abuse
- Harm Reduction Fundamentals Video Series
- What is Harm Reduction International
Publications
- Effective Substance Use Harm Reduction Interventions on College Campuses: A Scoping Review (2022)
- Effectiveness of Harm Reduction Intervention: results of a low threshold service centres’ activity (2020)
- A review of the efficacy and effectiveness of harm reduction strategies for alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs (2006)
- A review of the evidence-base for harm reduction approaches to drug use (PDF) (2003)
For more information, email health.promotion@utoronto.ca.