Broadly defined, harm reduction refers to policies, programs, and practices that aim to reduce the adverse health, social, and economic consequences of licit and unregulated substance use. In BC, established harm reduction initiatives include safer consumption and safer sex supplies distribution programs, take-home naloxone, drug checking, overdose prevention sites, and supervised consumption services. Including these harm reduction approaches within the continuum of addiction care provides additional mechanisms for promoting health and safety in diverse patient populations, including individuals who are not interested in receiving OAT or those who continue to use unregulated opioids while receiving OAT. 

Clinicians can take several actions to increase awareness of harm reduction services among patients, starting with routinely including information and education about harm reduction and safer injection or smoking practices when appropriate in discussions with patients and families. In order to provide informed referrals, clinicians should also be aware of harm reduction programs available in their local area and services provided. A current listing of harm reduction services in British Columbia that provide sterile needles, syringes, and other consumption supplies; overdose prevention training; and take-home naloxone kits can be found on the Toward the Heart website.