In early 2018, the Toronto Central LHIN provided funding to support 5 Community Health Centres in Toronto (Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, South Riverdale Community Health Centre, LAMP Community Health Centre, Regent Park Community Health Centre and Unison Health & Community Services) to engage in a collaborative process to guide the deployment and utilization of resources in the area of harm reduction in response to the overdose crisis. From January to March 2018, consultations were held with 125 people who use drugs and use harm reduction services, harm reduction service providers, and key informants working in a variety of health and social service agencies. This led to the development of a series of recommendations for developing a Harm Reduction and Substance Use Continuum of Care approach/model.
We are in the midst of increased overdose fatalities and the restructuring of services for folks using the homeless shelter and services systems with the call for the embedding of harm reduction services everywhere. This moment was used to request that the Toronto Region enable us to release this review report as it holds great insights on strategies for the work we are currently doing. To view the report and the full press release, please click the links below:
Building a Harm Reduction and Substance Use Continuum of Care – Report