Harm Reduction Update

Dear clients, partners and visitors,

As you know the situation regarding COVID-19 and social distancing has caused many programs and services across the region to have to halt face to face service or limit services in order to stop the spread of the virus. This presents a number of challenges for the community. Below is an update on where harm reduction and other services can still be found in the region. We will continue to update as we get new information. For up to date information on COVID-19 in Peel and service access please go to: https://www.peelregion.ca/coronavirus. You can also contact Adam Chalcraft, Moyo Harm Reduction Program Supervisor at 416-948-6459 or adamc@moyohcs.ca

The Peel Public Health Mobile NEP Van Service will be resuming service on Tuesday March 24^th, 2020 at 4:00pm. The staff will be operating the van from Monday to Saturday beginning at 4pm. In order to ensure staff are able to implement additional processes regarding sanitation and cleaning, they will be ending services 30 minutes early each night, going off the road at 10:30pm instead of 11:00pm. To access needle exchange services and naloxone kits in Peel: Call or text the NEP cell phone at 647-225-1623. All services are free and confidential. No health card is needed

Harm Reduction Supplies can currently be found at:

John Howard Society of Peel-Halton-Dufferin

134 Main Street North, Brampton

905-459-0111 Ext 317

Fridays: May 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th 2020 between 10:30 am -2:30 pm

Bloom Clinic
40 Finchgate Blvd, Suite 224
Brampton ON
Hours are Monday through Friday and are variable. To make arrangements to access harm reduction supplies at Bloom clinic, please call ahead to Natasha at 416-294-0561

OATC (only for OATC clients)
118 Queen Street West, Suite 301
Brampton ON
Monday – Friday 7 am – 6 pm
Saturday and Sunday 9 am – 1 pm

Peel Public Health Fairview Clinic
325 Central Parkway West
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 am – 6:30 pm
Tuesday and Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

RAAM Clinic update, schedule and locations:

We will continue providing service to walk-ins Monday to Friday between 9am-12pm at the revised locations below, as some of our partnering sites have closed down. Additionally, we will be moving to the virtual world for follow-ups. If possible, we would like to encourage patients to call before so that they can be screened, but we understand the limitations that many of our clients face.

Our revised schedule is as follows:

Tuesday – 60 West Dr (Bramalea)

Thursday – 1 Elizabeth St Unit L-2 (Orangeville)

Friday – 60 West Dr (Bramalea)

Phone number: 905-451-2123 / 1-877-451-2123

As for the Telus Mobile Health Bus, here is a list of initial locations:

Wilkinson Road Shelter, Compass Food Bank, Downtown Brampton, Cawthra Road Shelter and the Mississauga Central Library.

If you are unable to access harm reduction supplies from the above mentioned services below is a list of pharmacies in the region that distribute Naloxone for free and if you are able, you can purchase insulin syringes. Be sure to call ahead to make sure they still have stock available. You can also check https://www.ontario.ca/page/where-get-free-naloxone-kit to locate a pharmacy near you.

Shoppers Drug Mart (has free nasal/IM naloxone and 30g syringes for sale)
2470 Hurontario St, Mississauga, ON L5B 0H2
Open 24 hours
Phone no: 905-896-2500

Shoppers Drug Mart (has free nasal/IM naloxone and 30g syringes for sale)
160 Main St S, Brampton, ON L6W 2E1
Open 8 am to 12 am
Phone no: 905-451-0111

Rexall (has nasal naloxone available)
398 Queen St W, Brampton, ON L6X 1B3
Open till 8 pm
Phone no: 905-459-4758

HARM REDUCTION TIPS:

Health and well-being: Staying hydrated, eating well and sleeping enough will help in boosting your immune system. People with pre-existing medical conditions (heart diseases, respiratory illnesses, diabetes and immunocompromised individuals) and people over 65 years are much more vulnerable to coronavirus and should take precautions very seriously. People who are less vulnerable still have a responsibility to not help spread it. Take care of your mental health and look out for your family and friends, as staying indoors and not seeing your usual social group can feel lonely and frustrating.

Smoking and drinking: Avoid sharing pipes, bongs, cigarettes, joints, vapes, glasses and cup as covid-19 can be spread via hand to mouth, saliva, and via hard surfaces. If you have to share, practice harm reduction with your supplies (wipe down the mouthpieces with an alcohol swab before sharing or use separate mouthpieces). Mark your glasses and cups so no one accidentally drinks from it. Put used smoking, snorting, and injecting equipment in a bio-bucket so people know they are used.

Snorting drugs: Wash your hands with soap at least for 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer. Clean surfaces before preparing lines and after use with microbial wipes, alcohol (at least 70%), or bleach. Prepare your own drugs, if you cannot prepare your own drugs, try and stay with the person who is. Get them to wash their hands thoroughly and to clean up before and after. Avoid sharing snorting equipment (including spoons, keys etc); or rolled paper. Crush substances down as fine as possible before use to reduce soft tissue abrasions (cuts can increase the likelihood of disease transmission). And no despite some news going around, cocaine definitely does not kill coronavirus!

Injecting drugs: Follow all the harm reduction guidelines to avoid blood borne viral transmission and take additional care with hand washing and general hygiene when handling preparing or using drugs, and avoid sharing of injecting equipment. Try and make plans for likely disruption and potential drug shortages. If you are stocking up on drugs be careful with the temptation to binge.

Sex: Coronavirus can be transmitted by close contact so it is a good idea to think about safe sex if you do choose to get friendly this outbreak. Stock up on safer sex materials such as condoms, lubes. If you are a sex worker be more careful about clients washing their hands or showering before the start of the session or meeting. Disinfect all sex toys, change sheets and wipe down all surfaces between clients.

If you use alone: Test your dope first by using less to lower your chances of an overdose. Ask a friend to check in on you, or have a friend on the phone while you are using. You can also call the Overdose Prevention Line at 1-888-853-8542 and someone will remain on the phone with you while you use; if you overdose they will call 911.

Where to get more information

It can be stressful to read about COVID-19 in the media. It is important to keep up to date with trusted sources and avoid spreading misinformation.
Below are a few resources to get credible information from:

The World Health Organization

Ontario Ministry of Health

Region of Peel

Government of Canada

Links for more information

WHO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1APwq1df6Mw

Crew 2000
https://www.crew.scot/coronavirus-general-hygiene-tips/

Harm Reduction Coalition
https://harmreduction.org/miscellaneous/covid-19-guidance-for-people-who-use-drugs-and-harm-reduction-programs/

A number you can call if you are about to use drugs and are located in Ontario:
Overdose prevention line

For more information or support please contact Adam Chalcraft, Moyo Harm Reduction Program Supervisor at 416-948-6459 or adamc@moyohcs.ca