Harm Reduction

The Harm Reduction Program aims to help keep our loved ones safe and offer positive change through minimizing harms. Our Coordinator is available to make presentations and deliver harm reduction supplies free of charge. The Land-Based Healing Fund is part of our holistic harm reduction approach, and it provides opportunities for those struggling with substance use to seek healing on the land.

HARM REDUCTION IS: SAFETY, CARING, TRUTH, WISDOM, BRAVERY, LOVE

SCO has launched a comprehensive public education and awareness campaign focused on preventing and increasing awareness of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections (STBBIs) and harm reduction. The campaign was informed by the voices of First Nation people with lived experience and harm reduction service organizations.

Harm reduction has become a major focus for SCO when it comes to delivering programs and services for our Nations. I am pleased to see us couple that mandate with the resources and expertise necessary to develop and implement a comprehensive, culturally relevant, and engaging campaign to help save lives.

Grand Chief Jerry Daniels

Centered on strength-based messaging, the campaign focuses on love, acceptance and stigma reduction. Information will be shared on billboards, bus boards, ad space, printed materials and through social media. The campaign runs until August 2023.

Request support for harm reduction:

SCO has a harm reduction specialist on staff who is able to provide harm reduction supplies such as fentanyl test strips, nasal Narcan, and safer sex supplies, at no cost. This specialist is also available to make presentations that can help to promote destigmatize and raise awareness around the importance of using a harm reduction approach when working with First Nations citizens living with addictions issues. 

To make these requests, please contact us via email: harmreduction@scoinc.mb.ca

Why we created this program:

Hundreds of years of colonial oppression through harmful structures, policies, and laws have disconnected us from our lands, culture, medicines, ceremonies, and relations. This continues to cause post-traumatic stress disorder and intergenerational trauma. The devastating effects are seen in the high rates of addiction that affects our people and communities.

More than 32,000 Canadians have died of toxic drug overdoses since 2016, according to data released by Health Canada in December 2022. More than 3,500 people died of overdoses in the first half of 2022 (data is available only to June 2022). That’s almost 20 people per day, and the losses are devastating families and communities. Together, we need to do more.

What is harm reduction? 

Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas. SCO’s harm reduction approach aims to keep loved ones who are impacted by substance use safe, offering love and support, minimizing the harms associated with substance use and supporting them on their healing journey.

Anishinaabe and Dakota harm reduction is based on truth, love, respect, courage, honesty, wisdom, and humility. It is strengths-based, destigmatized, and inclusive.

Guiding principles for harm reduction:

• Everyone is worthy of love and respect and has the right to be treated with dignity and kindness.
• People who use drugs decide what their goals are.
• Relationships and trust are nurtured so that people who use drugs are able to ask for help if they would like to stop.
• Quality of life improves when people who use drugs feel connected to community.
• If someone is not able to, or doesn’t want to stop using substances, let’s protect them while they use.

For more information, contact us:

Phone: 204-946-1869

Email: harmreduction@scoinc.mb.ca

Resources