Harm Reduction
Harm reduction is an evidence-based practice that aims to keep people safe and minimize death, disease, and injury from behaviour that involves risk, such as substance use and sexual activity.

Supply distribution
Harm reduction programs provide supplies for safer injection, safer smoking and safer sex.
Safer Sex & Drug Use | BCCDC Toward the Heart
We support needle distribution not needle exchange as an evidence-based strategy to improve health as directed by the Provincial Harm Reduction Strategies and Services program. Needle distribution is also supported by the BC Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and CATIE - Canada's source for HIV and hepatitis C information.
Learn more about harm reduction supplies and programs for GBQ+ men and gender diverse people:
Harm Reduction at HIM - Health Initiative for Men
Gay Men's Sexual Health Alliance: Party and Play Field Guide
Stigma reduction
We believe all people should be treated with dignity and respect – this includes people who use substances and/or engage in high risk behaviour. Stigma makes people feel judged and alone, which can prevent them from accessing health services. Treating people with respect improves health outcomes and saves lives. For more information, view Interior Health's Abuse Free Policy (AH0100).
If you have a concern about the care/treatment you have received at an Interior Health location, please contact our Patient Care Quality Office.
Drug checking
Drug checking is now offered by a variety of harm reduction service providers across the region. Drug checking is offered by appointment as well as drop-ins at some locations. Call ahead to find out more about services in your community.
Overdose Prevention & Treatment
Visit our Overdose Prevention & Treatment page to learn about overdose prevention, treatment and who to contact if you’re in a crisis or experiencing/witnessing an overdose.
Effective Jan. 31, 2023 adults in B.C. will not be charged for the personal possession of small amounts of certain illegal drugs (opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA). Learn more about decriminalization.
Safe needle disposal
Needles are used by a wide range of community members, including people with medical conditions, and people who use substances. When needles are discarded improperly in a public place, it is often because people do not have easy access to safe disposal.
- Providing safe needle disposal education to people who use drugs and other community members.
- Distributing small sharps containers for personal use.
- Accepting used harm reduction sharps back at all public health, mental health and substance use, and primary care sites for safe disposal.
- Supporting municipalities and non-profits to safely dispose of needles by covering the costs of harm reduction sharps disposal.
- Supporting community partner agencies to do community clean ups.
- Supporting supervised consumption and overdose prevention sites in communities where appropriate.
- Safe Sharps Disposal Toolkit: A Community Response to a Community Issue
- Poster/Info Sheet: Sharps Disposal "Do's" and "Don’ts"
- Article: Talking to Children about Needles
- Poster/Info Sheet: How to Safely Dispose of Needles
- Poster/Info Sheet: What to Do If You Find a Needle
- Video: What to Do If You Find a Needle
- FAQ: Needle Distribution Programs – Why Are They Important?
- Community Clean-up Program Toolkit: This toolkit provides a sample program focusing on providing Peers (people with lived experience) an opportunity to receive support while participating as a volunteer in community clean-up initiatives.
If a discarded needle is found in a public place, your local health unit or municipality can advise on needle collection services in your community. Alternatively, you can take the following steps to safely dispose of the needle:
Step 1
- Find a hard plastic container with a secure lid (e.g. plastic drink bottle with a wide mouth, liquid laundry bottle)
- Remove the lid and place the container on the ground beside the needle
- Do not break or recap the needle
Step 2
- Pick up the needle by the centre of the syringe barrel with care
- Use work or latex gloves, or tongs, if available
- Always point the sharp end of the needle down and away from you
Step 3
- Put the needle in the container, sharp-end first, and secure the lid
- While doing this step, the container should be on the ground; do not hold it in your hand
- Remove gloves and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water
Step 4
- Drop off the sealed container at a local health unit, pharmacy or community drop box
Getting poked by a needle can be concerning. However, it is important to remember that the risk of infection from an improperly discarded needle in the community is extremely low. In the event of a needle stick injury, the following steps should be taken:
- Allow the wound to bleed freely. Do not squeeze the wound. This may damage the tissues and increase risk of infection.
- Wash the wound with soap and water. Do not apply bleach or alcohol to the wound.
- Go to your local emergency department immediately for follow-up care. An assessment will be done to determine the need for post-exposure prophylaxis (e.g. medications and/or vaccinations to further reduce the risk of transmission). Baseline blood tests for HBV, HCV and HIV will be done at this visit, with follow-up blood tests to be done over the next three months to make sure none of these viruses have been transmitted.
Learn more about harm reduction


SCHF supports 100 Mile House & District General Hospital and health facilities, health projects, and the well-being of health-care providers & patients.
/stories/foundation-spotlight-series-south-cariboo-health-foundation


Thanks to a collaboration between Lillooet Hospital and School District 74, several local Lillooet students got a closer look into health care as a profession.
/stories/lillooet-secondary-students-get-head-start-health-care-careers


Nida has long felt called to pursue a communications position in health care. Today, she’s honoured and feels extremely thankful to be living her dream.
/stories/we-are-ih-communications-consultant-learns-and-grows-every-day


/stories/new-alcohol-screening-questions-eds-connect-patients-care


Connect with Jade Chaboyer-Kondra to learn more about what inspires her, meaningful experiences she’s had throughout her career, and her life outside of work.
/stories/we-are-ih-indigenous-engagement-lead-values-holding-space


If you're uncomfortable with your relationship to alcohol, we offer a detox program that's done from home. Learn more about outpatient withdrawal management.
/stories/get-help-alcohol-use-privacy-your-home
STAY CONNECTED
Receive news and alert posts, and Stories@IH blog posts, right to your inbox!
