Safety & Harm Reduction · 1 of 25
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.
More than a slogan
Being told “just say no” does not explain what could happen or what to do in an emergency. Useful education explains the risks, supports a decision not to use, and teaches people to help others. Harm reduction means reducing substance-related harm without making care conditional on someone’s choices.
Put the principles into practice
- Respect people without requiring them to prove they deserve care.
- Offer clear information and meaningful choices.
- Listen to people with lived and living experience.
- Recognize that housing, income, discrimination, and access to care affect safety.
- Treat small improvements as worthwhile.
What it can look like
Carrying naloxone, arranging a safe ride, accessing sterile equipment, or asking about treatment can all be steps toward better health. Harm reduction can support a decision to stop using too. No strategy removes every risk.
If you are helping someone
You do not have to use substances to learn overdose response or support a friend’s decision not to use.
WARN (OTHERS)
After immediate care is covered, share dated advisories or observed concerns. Say what is confirmed and what is uncertain. Protect people’s privacy.
Emergency care comes first. Never share someone’s name, identifying photo or private health details.
Learn more
For everyone across Canada. General education; individual care needs medical advice. For a medical emergency, call 911, keep yourself safe, and follow the dispatcher’s directions.
Free to share and print
Pass this guide to someone who wants to learn, or print a paper copy. Keep the instructions, source links and TRDP credit intact. Check the current page before reprinting.
Download this guide as plain text (.txt). To save a PDF, use “Print this guide” and choose your browser’s Save as PDF option.