For everyone across Canada
Safety & Harm Reduction
Understand the risks. Make an informed choice, including choosing not to use. Know how to help someone who makes a different choice.
These 25 guides are for young people, older adults, people who use substances, and people who do not. Be a check-in buddy or a sober designated driver. Help others understand stigma. Every mistake is an opportunity to learn and raise awareness: respond to immediate harm first and protect people’s privacy.
- Guide 01
What harm reduction means
Knowing the risks helps you make an informed choice. Choosing not to use is valid. If someone does use, they still deserve safety, respect, and help.
- Guide 02
Safety is for everyone
Not using substances is the safest way to avoid substance-related harms. Safety knowledge is still for everyone: people who use, people who do not, families, friends and witnesses.
- Guide 03
Understanding stigma
Stigma happens when people are judged, labelled, or treated unfairly because of substance use. It can make asking for help harder.
- Guide 04
Words that keep the door open
The words we choose can make a conversation feel safer. Describe the person and the situation with care.
- Guide 05
Recognizing a possible opioid overdose
If someone will not wake up or is not breathing normally, treat it as an emergency. Call 911 immediately.
- Guide 06
Responding to a suspected overdose
Call emergency services immediately. Fast action matters even when you are unsure which substance is involved.
- Guide 07
Naloxone can save a life
Naloxone temporarily reverses an opioid overdose. Carrying it and learning to use it are practical ways to help.
- Guide 08
Recognizing alcohol poisoning
Alcohol poisoning is an emergency. Someone who cannot stay awake or breathe normally needs immediate help.
- Guide 09
Recognizing a stimulant emergency
Cocaine, methamphetamine, and other stimulants can cause serious medical emergencies. Do not assume severe symptoms are only anxiety.
- Guide 10
Why mixing substances increases risk
Combining substances can change their effects and make an emergency harder to predict. Prescription medicines count too.
- Guide 11
Unknown substances and drug checking
Appearance, taste, and a familiar seller cannot confirm what a substance contains or how strong it is.
- Guide 12
Be a check-in buddy or designated driver
You do not have to use substances to help prevent harm. Offer a clear, reliable role before someone needs help.
- Guide 13
Refusal scripts you can actually use
You can say no to a drink, drug, or situation without explaining your whole life. Choose words that feel natural to you.
- Guide 14
Understanding the risks before you decide
You deserve clear information before making a decision about alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs. Legal, familiar, or prescribed does not mean risk-free.
- Guide 15
Consent and personal boundaries
Everyone has a right to decide what happens to their body. Substance use never excuses pressure, unwanted contact, or violence.
- Guide 16
Cannabis and delayed effects
Cannabis can affect attention, coordination, and judgment. Edibles can take much longer to work than someone expects.
- Guide 17
Recognizing physical dependence
Physical dependence means the body has adapted to a substance. Reducing or stopping it may cause withdrawal. This can happen with prescribed medicine too.
- Guide 18
When substance use may be becoming a problem
Look at the effect on your life, not only how often you use. You can ask for help before a crisis.
- Guide 19
Withdrawal and getting medical help
Withdrawal can happen when someone who is physically dependent reduces or stops a substance. Some withdrawal can be dangerous.
- Guide 20
Tolerance changes after a break
Tolerance can fall after time away from a substance. Returning to an amount you used before can be dangerous, especially with opioids.
- Guide 21
Safer equipment and infection prevention
Sharing or reusing injection equipment can spread infections. Access to sterile supplies and healthcare is part of harm reduction.
- Guide 22
Talking to someone you are worried about
A calm, specific conversation can make support easier to accept. You do not need to diagnose someone to express concern.
- Guide 23
Making an informed choice and a safety plan
Start with the risks and your own priorities. You can choose not to use, ask for more information, or seek help changing your use. You can also plan how to help someone else.
- Guide 24
Getting help and knowing your options
You can seek support whether you want information, less risky use, a reduction in use, or help stopping.
- Guide 25
Recovery and supporting continued change
Recovery can involve changes in health, relationships, daily life, and substance use. People need different kinds of support at different times.