Harm Reduction Community Care Project

Description

The Harm Reduction Community Care project works to create a safer community in the Toronto downtown east side through the safe collection and disposal of discarded harm reduction supplies, including needles and other sharps. 

This project:

• Offers low-barrier employment to community members with various lived experience
• Provides community education trainings
• Responds to community requests for safe disposal of discarded supplies, including needles, pipes, and other safe drug supplies

Through meaningful community engagement, the Harm Reduction Community Care project aims to reduce stigma, foster safety and promote inclusion in the neighbourhood, while reducing the risks associated with substance use, particularly the risk of bloodborne illnesses such as HIV and HCV. 

The Harm Reduction Community Care Project is a collaborative project with Street Health, Regent Park Community Health Centre, and Dixon Hall Neighbourhood Services. Since it began in 2021, the program has successfully and safely disposed of 133,635 harm reduction supplies from streets and parks.