Harm Reduction
Harm reduction is about respect.
It means recognizing the dignity, autonomy, and wisdom of people who use substances – and supporting them through care that is consistent, compassionate, and non-judgmental.
At Elevate, harm reduction is more than a service – it’s a relationship. We meet people where they’re at and walk with them from there, offering the tools, support, and solidarity needed to stay safer and feel seen.
What We Do
Our harm reduction work is built on trust, community feedback, and real-life needs. Services are delivered both onsite and out in the community by a team that leads with respect and listens without judgment.
We provide
- On-site harm reduction supplies and support
- Street outreach throughout Thunder Bay
- Naloxone training and free kits
Onsite Harm Reduction
At our drop-in centre, community members can access free harm reduction materials anytime during open hours. Our goal is to reduce harm, prevent infection, and keep everyone safer—including those who use our services and the broader community.
We also post real-time alerts about dangerous or contaminated drugs on our whiteboard and share updates by word-of-mouth, helping people make safer choices.
Supplies include:
- Sterile needles, syringes, and pipes
- Cookers, filters, foils, sterile water
- Other items requested by people who use drugs
- Safe disposal of used equipment
Outreach Harm Reduction
Our outreach team brings supplies, care, and connection directly to people in the community—meeting folks in alleyways, encampments, apartment buildings, and public spaces across Thunder Bay.
We provide:
- Harm reduction equipment
- Food, water, and seasonal clothing
- Referrals to housing and healthcare
- Social support and conversation
- Personalized supply kits based on community feedback
Our routes and services shift based on what the community needs. If there’s a gap, we try to fill it.
Naloxone Training & Kits
Naloxone saves lives. It reverses opioid overdoses—and everyone should know how to use it.
We provide free Naloxone kits and training to:
- People who use drugs
- Family, friends, and loved ones
- Community organizations, schools, and faith groups
- Employers, businesses, and work sites
- Anyone we meet through outreach or at the drop-in
If you want a kit or training, you’ve come to the right place. No appointment needed.
Every person deserves to be safe.
Harm reduction at Elevate is about keeping people alive, informed, and connected, because everyone matters, and no one is disposable.
