Resource Page
This web page collates a variety of Toward the Heart resources by topic. Due to the unpredictable and unregulated drug supply, information can change and many of our resources are currently under review. We recommend checking this page regularly. If you can't find what you are looking for, or if you have questions about any of our resources, please email harmreduction@bccdc.ca.
Guidelines and Reports
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Best Practice Guidelines
BCCDC Opioid Overdose Response Toolkit (Dec 2020)
The opioid overdose response toolkit is intended for all service providers, including regulated and non-regulated service providers and paramedics, who are responding to opioid overdoses across British Columbia (BC). This toolkit does not replace workplace or employer overdose response (e.g., naloxone) policies and procedures; and does not apply to naloxone dispensation.
Best Practice Recommendations - Canadian Harm Reduction Programs
These recommendations, updated in 2021, were developed by CATIE to support service providers to develop, redesign and evaluate programs for people who use drugs and who are at risk for HIV, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and other harms.
Guidelines for Providing Harm Reduction Services to Youth in BC
This information also exists as Appendix 3 of the HRSS Policy and Guidelines. Last updated October, 2023.
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Peer Engagement
Community Research Report - Peer Work
Findings and recommendations from BC's Peer Engagement and Evaluation Project.
Best Practice Guidelines
Refer to Best Practice Guidelines above for additional guidelines regarding Peer Engagement.
Compassionate Engagement Modules
To access the Compassionate Engagement Modules visit the Peer Engagement page of our website.
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Program Evaluations
THN Program Evaluation Report - To Dec 2020
Updated evaluation report for the BC THN program, including data up until Dec 2020
Research Brief - Naloxone Distribution in BC and The Role of Community Pharmacies
A research summary on accessing THN in BC and the role of community pharmacies: results from the analysis of adminsitrative data (Sept 2020).
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Reports
BC Harm Reduction Client Survey Background and Findings Report
This report provides an overview of background and findings of the BC harm reduction client survey throughout the years.
HRSS Indicators Report 2019 (July 2020)
BC Harm Reduction Strategies and Services (HRSS) Committee Policy Indicators Report including data until December 2019.
Harm Reduction
- General Information
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Harm Reduction Toolkits
CATIE - Harm Reduction Fundamentals Tookit
This toolkit provides foundational information on harm reduction for service providers working with people who use drugs (including support workers, outreach workers, nurses and workers with lived and living experience). The toolkit is free to access and is available to anyone to use or share for personal learning, organizational trainings and/or other capacity-building efforts.
Trans Care BC - Hormone Injection Supplies Toolkit
The Hormone Injection Supplies Toolkit is created for harm reduction sites and any organization or program interested in offering hormone injection supplies, and providing inclusive harm reduction services for trans, gender diverse, and Two-Spirit people. This resource was developed by Trans Care BC in collaboration with Toward the Heart and Professionals for Ethical Engagement of Peers (PEEP) of the BC Centre for Disease Control.
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Wound Care
Wound Care Guide_Colour
A guide intended to support individuals in managing wounds with guidance on when to seek cautionary or urgent healthcare. The information in this guide is duplicated over 2 pages, one with guiding photos and the other without.
A Harm Reduction Approach to Wound Care
An informational poster intended for those providing healthcare services to support a harm reduction approach to wound care.
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Safer Sex & Substance Use
Registered Sites
For registered HR sites looking to access the most up-to-date supply order form or how to register see HR sites.
Video- Guidance for Injecting Tablet Medication
Video: Preparing Your Drugs
- Needles & Syringes
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Extreme Weather Events
Naloxone
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General Information
Naloxone Training
For information about how to use naloxone and respond to an overdose see resources listed under the Overdose Response category below.
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Take Home Naloxone Program
Registered Sites
For registered Take Home Naloxone sites looking to access the most up-to-date supply order form, satellite registration form and required reporting records see THN site page.
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Facility Overdose Response Box Program
Registered Sites
For registered FORB sites looking to access the most up-to-date supply order form, naloxone administration form and program management resouces see FORB sites.
Overdose
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Overdose Prevention Services
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Overdose Response
Naloxone 101 Course
This is a self-guided, interactive naloxone course on how to recognize and respond to a drug poisoning, including how to use naloxone. This course takes approximately one hour to complete.
SAVE ME Steps for NaloxoneTraining.com
This Video outlines the SAVE ME Steps for responding to an overdose.
- General Information
- Toxic Substances in the Supply
Position Statements
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BCCDC Position Statements
Blue Lights in Washrooms
Blue lights are sometimes installed in public washrooms to discourage injecting drug use. The lights are intended to visually obscure superficial veins making it difficult to inject drugs intravenously. This Position Statement from the BC Centre for Disease Control advises against the installation of blue lights in public washrooms.
Observed Consumption Services
Observed consumption services (OCS) include Overdose Prevention Services (OPS) and Supervised Consumption Sites (SCS) where people are given a safe space to use their substances under the supervision of someone trained to recognize and respond to an overdose. This enables a rapid response to an overdose, which prevents brain injury and death. This Position Statement from the BC Centre for Disease Control and the Ministy of Health recommends that observed consumption services be widely available throughout BC.
Retrieval of Used Needles
We’re aware used needle buy-back programs are being introduced into some communities. This Position Statement from the BC Centre for Disease Control and the Ministry of Health advises against used needle buy-back programs as they may cause unintended harms and consequences.
The Importance of Harm Reduction
This Position Statement from the BC Centre for Disease Control states that harm reduction is essential to preventing and reducing the undue health, social, cultural and economic harms of substance use.
