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Drugs

Safer substance use

The National Overdose Response Services Line (NORS) is an overdose prevention hotline for Canadians, providing compassionate, confidential, and nonjudgmental support for people, whenever and wherever they use drugs.  If using drugs alone, call or text (Canada only) 1-888-688-6677 (NORS).

Learn how you can help friends and family who use substances stay safe when using drugs by watching this video created by the Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs (CAPUD):  How to Spot Someone so They Never Use Alone.

Safer substance use (harm reduction) is an evidence-based approach used to reduce health and social harms that can be caused by substance use.  Harm Reduction recognizes that quitting the use of substances may not be right for everyone. It is important for information to be available to ensure that all people have the opportunity to be as safe and well as possible.

Harm reduction focuses on working with people without judgement, coercion, or discrimination.  It strives to keep people alive and encourages positive change in their lives.

Safer substance use (harm reduction) can:

  • reduce the transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B & C from sharing equipment, keeping people healthier and decreasing healthcare costs,
  • provide education on the benefits of using new needles, smoking and other drug equipment,
  • reduce the number of overdoses and deaths from substance use,
  • provide a supportive safe environment where individuals can access health, counselling, and social services.

A variety of resources can help ensure safer substance use.  Safer injection and smoking supplies are provided free of charge at SMDHU offices and many community partners.

  • Safe injecting kits including, sterile needles, spoons (cookers), alcohol swabs, sterile water, tourniquets, and when requested vitamin C.
  • Safe smoking kits including, glass stems or bowl pipes, screens, and mouth pieces.
  • Naloxone kits
  • Disposal bins/receptacles for the safe disposal of used needles, stems, pipes, and other substance use equipment.
  • Education about safer substance use and about community supports.

For additional information on the safe use of substances:

Find a needle exchange site near you:

 

Angus Family Pharmacy

Location: 18 King Street, Angus, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Bradford Drug Mart

Location: 54 Holland Street West, Bradford, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

CONTACT Community Services

Location: 39 Victoria Street East, Alliston, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Krasman Centre

Location: 17 Paris Street, Alliston, ON
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres (OATC) Alliston

Location: 96 Victoria Street West, Lower Level, Alliston, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Thursday 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Friday 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

SHIFT (Support and Hope for Individuals and Families Today)

Location: 123 Victoria Street West, Alliston, ON
Hours of Operation:
Open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 7 days a week

Please note the Outreach days indicated below:
Monday: New Tecumseth, Essa, and Innisfil
Tuesday: New Tecumseth
Wednesday: Bradford
Thursday: Adjala-Tosorontio and Innisfil
Friday: New Tecumseth and Essa
Saturday: Bradford Sunday: Adjala-Tosorontio

Please note the Outreach hours indicated below:
Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit – Cookstown

Location: 25 King Street South, Unit 2, Cookstown, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Allandale Pharmasave

Location: 21 Essa Road, Unit C, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Barrie Downtown Pharmasave

Location: 79 Dunlop Street West, Unit C, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Canadian Mental Health Association – Simcoe County Branch

Location: 128 Anne Street South, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location: 134 Anne Street South, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Location: 15 Bradford Steet, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Site is closed for renovations

Elizabeth Fry Society Simcoe Muskoka

Location: 102 Maple Avenue, Barrie, ON

Hours of Operation:
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week

Gilbert Centre

Location: 80 Bradford Street, Unit 525, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Outside of these hours, call 705-722-6778

Please note the Outreach days indicated below:
Tuesday: Barrie and Orillia
Wednesday: Barrie
Thursday: Orillia
Outreach hours are roughly between 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Grove Street Pharmacy

Location: 477 Grove Street East, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

John Howard Society of Simcoe and Muskoka - Barrie

Location: 80 Bradford Street, Unit 228, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit – Clinic, Barrie

Location: 80 Bradford Street, Unit 403, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit – Main Office, Barrie

Location: 15 Sperling Drive, Barrie, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Busby Centre

Location: 88 - 90 Mulcaster Street, Barrie, ON (entrance is off McDonald Street)
Hours of Operation: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Please note the Outreach days indicated below:
Barrie: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., 7 days a week
South Georgian Bay: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

 

Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres (OATC)

Location: 275 First Street, Unit 3, Collingwood, ON
Hours of Operation:  Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit – Collingwood

Location: 280 Pretty River Parkway, Collingwood, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

South Georgian Bay Community Health Centre

Location: 14 Ramblewood Drive, Unit 202 (2nd Floor), Wasaga Beach, ONHours of Operation:Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Canadian Mental Health Association – Muskoka-Parry Sound Branch

Location: 173 Manitoba Street, Unit 202, Bracebridge, ON
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres (OATC) – Muskoka-Parry Sound Branch

Location:  173 Manitoba Street, Unit 202, Bracebridge, ON

Hours of Operation:  Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit – Gravenhurst

Location:  5 Pine Ridge Gate, Unit 2, Gravenhurst, ON

Hours of Operation:  Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Moose Deer Point Health Centre

Location:  1025 Mitawbik Road, Unit C, MacTier, ON

Hours of Operation: Monday to Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Ontario Addiction Treatment Centres (OATC) - Huntsville: 

Location:  15 Manominee Street, Unit 2A, Huntsville, ON

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit – Huntsville

Location: 34 Chaffey Street, Huntsville, ON

Hours of Operation:

Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

NOTE: 24-hour needle disposal unit mounted on the back of the building facing Fetterly Street.

Canadian Mental Health Association - Simcoe County Branch

Location: 741 Young Street, Midland, ON

Hours of Operation:  Monday to Thursday 9:00 am to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Chigamik Community Health Centre

Location: 287 Bayshore Drive, Midland, ON

Clients of the CHC and community members can access this in a bilingual, culturally relevant setting.

Hours of Operation:  Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit - Midland

Location: 925 Hugel Avenue, Unit A, Midland, ON

Hours of Operation:  Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Guest House

Location: 522 Elizabeth Street, Midland, ON

Hours of Operation:  Opens at 4:00 p.m., 7 days a week

Canadian Mental Health Association – Simcoe County Branch

Location: 50 Nottawasaga Street, Orillia, ON

Hours of Operation:

Monday to Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location: 76 Nottawasaga Street, Orillia, ON

Hours of Operation:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

John Howard Society of Simcoe and Muskoka - Orillia

​Location: 17 Colborne Street East, Unit 109, Orillia, ON

Hours of Operation:

Monday to Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Orillia Downtown Dispensary

Location: 188 Mississauga Street East, Orillia, ON

Hours of Operation:

Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit – Orillia

Location: 169 Front Street South, Unit 120, Orillia, ON

Hours of Operation:

Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

NOTE: 24 hour needle disposal unit mounted located to the right of the Common Roof main entrance.

​The Lighthouse

​Location: 75 Queen Street East, Orillia, ON

Hours of Operation:

Open 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 7 days a week

Used needles, stems, pipes and all other supplies can be disposed of safely to decrease the chance of equipment being left in public spaces.

  • Drop off used equipment in sharps containers or other safe containers at any health unit location or needle exchange partner location.
  • 24-hour needle drop box locations at are also available:
    • The Orillia Common Roof building, 169 Front Street South, Orillia
    • Barrie Health Unit location, 80 Bradford Street, Barrie
    • Huntsville Health Unit 34 Chaffey Street, Huntsville
    • The Busby Centre, 88 Mulcaster Street, Barrie
    • Midland CMHA location, 741 Young Street, Midland
    • Chigamik Community Health Centre, 287 Bayshore Drive, Midland
    • Barrie RAAM, 70 Wellington Street West, Barrie
    • Barrie CMHA location, 15 Bradford Street, Barrie

Link: Find a community disposal site

For more information call the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit 705-721-7520 or toll free at 1-877-721-7520 and ask to speak with a Nurse about Harm Reduction or Needle Exchange.

What to do if you find needles in your community

Needles (sharps) are items that may be contaminated with body fluids, such as blood, and can puncture or cut skin. Some examples are:

  • Used needles
  • Used syringes with needles attached
  • Lancets (used for skin prick blood samples)
  • Used razors

What to do if you find a sharp(s)?

DO:

  • Find a hard plastic container with a lid (e.g., bleach or peanut butter container) and put it on a flat surface. Do not hold the container.
  • Wear gloves or use tongs to pick up the needle. Put the needle (sharp end pointing down) into the container.
  • Tighten the lid on the container.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water right after.
  • Take the container to your local health unit office or household hazardous waste disposal site.

 

DO NOT:

  • Try to remove, bend, or recap the needle.
  • Flush sharps down the toilet or throw them in the garbage or recycling box.

Children should never touch a discarded needles but show an adult where it is. “If it’s not yours, don’t touch.”


Do You Have a Needle Stick Injury?

  1. Stay calm. The risk of infection from illnesses such as Tetanus, Hepatitis B, C and HIV is very low.
  2. Let the wound bleed freely. Do not squeeze, suck, scrub, or rub the wound.
  3. Wash the wound with soap and water as soon as possible.
  4. See a healthcare provider right away.

 

Immunizations are required throughout your lifetime. Talk to your healthcare provider about Tetanus and Hepatitis B immunizations you might be missing.

Resources
Supervised consumption services (Consumption and Treatment Service) sites provide a safer environment for people to use substances.  In addition, they offer a wide spectrum of resources and support and provide the opportunity to refer individuals to other community services available to help people remain as healthy and safe as possible.  This may include information about treatment options if requested
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