harm reduction

spraypainted art of Thomus Donaghy on the window of an Overdose Prevention Site
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Thomus Donaghy overdose prevention site faces third closure in three years

Maya Barillas Mohan June 23, 2026

The Thomus Donaghy overdose prevention site (OPS) has experienced a series of relocations since its opening in 2021. Most recently, its planned reopening on June 1 was cancelled by the City Council.  The OPS, which was named after an OPS peer worker who was tragically killed, is a supervised space that allows drug consumption without risk of criminal persecution, instead focused on providing drug testing or other support services if necessary. According to the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) website, OPSs “help save lives by responding to overdoses quickly,” “prevent the transmission of infectious diseases,” and connect “people to health services.”…

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A lit joint.
7 min 0 1722

On cannabis literacy and harm reduction

Ashima Shukla December 20, 2025

We might know about weed only through its either glamorized or demonized representations in media. But what might a more mindful approach to cannabis look like? How might we hold conversations that don’t shame or police others? How might we…

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Two people extend their arms from opposite sides of the photo and hold hands in the middle. The photo reflects the community support aspect of the study.
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First Nations Health Authority reports on phase one of “Indigenizing Harm Reduction” study

Lucaiah Smith-Miodownik December 20, 2025

Content warning: mentions of substance use and death.  Across Canada, the toxic drug crisis persists as a social issue faced by thousands of citizens each year. In BC alone, over 14,500 people have died from toxic drug use since 2016.…

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This is a photo of a group of people sitting in a circle on chairs. They’re engaging in conversation.
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Harm reduction advocate proposes incentivized rehabilitation

Natalie Cooke January 16, 2023

Guy Felicella, a recovery advocate, and Dr. Monty Ghosh, an addiction physician, are proposing a plan to offer a stipend of $20 a day for people to enter a 90-day rehabilitation facility. Felicella explained that a $600 stipend per month…

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