How can organizations ensure their harm reduction programs are based on the best evidence?
Since 2013, Canadian harm reduction programs have relied on the Best Practice Recommendations compiled by a national working group led by Dr. Carol Strike in collaboration with researchers, direct service providers and people who use drugs. The landscape of drug use and harm reduction has shifted dramatically since then. To incorporate new evidence and the current realities of drug use and overdose in Canada, the working group has published a new version of the Best Practices.
These recommendations are intended to help organizations develop, redesign and evaluate harm reduction supplies distribution programs for people who use drugs and are at risk for HIV, hepatitis C, hepatitis B and other harms.
The 2021 version contains new evidence related to the distribution and disposal of injection, smoking and snorting equipment, with specific chapters on needles and syringes, cookers, filters, smoking and snorting equipment and other drug use equipment. This resource also comes with easy-to-print and share one-page summaries.
The Best Practice Recommendations have been peer reviewed by experts with lived and living experience, direct service providers, program managers, policy-makers, knowledge brokers and scientists. It was created in partnership with CATIE and with funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research through the Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse Ontario Node.
Please check out and widely share this valuable resource available in English and French!
