In September 2003, Canada’s first legally sanctioned Safe Injection Site opened. This came about after a Vancouver-based non-government organisation, the Portland Hotel Society (PHS), quietly built a Safe Injection Site within a boarded-up and seemingly vacant building and then one day announced publicly that it had been built. Eventually, the regional health authority agreed to work with the PHS to open the site, although it is unclear how long this may have taken if the PHS had not taken the rather extraordinary measure of building the physical site in secret. Insite was opened under the condition that it operate as a scientific pilot and be rigorously evaluated. Fast forward to 2021 - Ensemble opens the first Overdose Prevention site in New Brunswick. They have reversed 239 overdoses since they opened, with a 100% reversal rate. Across Canada, in all Safe Consumption sites from May 2020 to May 2024, there were 41,722 Non-fatal overdoses, 0 Fatal overdoses, and 17,201 Overdoses requiring the use of naloxone. (Source)

But harm reduction is about more than survival; it’s about showing unconditional support and acceptance. By recognizing the dignity of each person, harm reduction builds trust and creates nonjudgmental spaces where individuals feel valued and respected. Holding space allows people to engage more openly with healthcare providers and support networks, often becoming the first step toward recovery. Recovery is defined by ANY POSITIVE CHANGE. It does not depend on your personal opinion on someone else's recovery.

Harm reduction honours each person’s autonomy and acknowledges that change is a process. It is a practice rooted in love, offering unwavering support that strengthens individuals as they navigate their lives. In a society often quick to stigmatise substance use, harm reduction stands out as a powerful, life-changing practice that shows people they are worthy of care, support, and hope.

By Ashley Legere