Infectious Disease Prevention
While drug use exists in every community, risks can be minimized with Harm Reduction strategies.
Harm Reduction involves connecting people who use drugs with supportive services, distributing sterile equipment to reduce the spread of blood-borne infections, like HIV, and providing training to help prevent overdoses.
Success depends on building trust with priority and hard-to-reach residents. In 2018, our Harm Reduction program added a second van to their mobile service to better meet client needs across Peel. Vans are equipped with supplies, a consultation area, as well as space for overdose prevention and resuscitation training.
The Mobile Outreach Unit is one component of our Harm Reduction program.
“Mobile service lets us help people we’d simply never reach otherwise. It’s helped us become trusted community partners, respond quickly to changing needs, and build relationships that support lasting change.”
The Mobile Outreach Van is one of the only places I feel accepted and supported in my life.