76% of Canadians use drugs or alcohol for a variety of reasons, including to cope with a variety of challenges.1

Stigma makes it hard to see someone clearly.

jay

Jay is a chemical engineer, world traveler, and loving son. Jay’s substance use started to manage pain from a work-related injury. When his mother died, Jay ‘s substance use helped him to cope with his grief. Substance use stigma makes it harder to break the cycle of substance use, discourages us from seeking support, and prevents others from seeing us as we truly are: a fellow human in need of compassion. Jay wants you to know that we can overcome substance use stigma by treating people with compassion. His experience shows that when we look beyond the stigma, we see strength, resilience, and the humanity that connects us all.

Find out what you can do to make Kingston a kinder place for people impacted by substance use.

Harm Reduction provides you with ways to make your community a kinder place
for those impacted by substance use

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    HARM REDUCTION IS FOUNDATIONAL TO SNS

    According to the National Harm Reduction Coalition, harm reduction is “a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences” associated with substance use (alcohol, cannabis and drugs). Harm Reduction is “also a movement for social justice built on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who use drugs.” The 8 Principles of Harm Reduction are foundational to the work of Support Not stigma.

    SOURCE

    1 Health Canada. Canadian alcohol and drugs survey (CADS): Summary of results for 2019 [Internet]. Government of Canada. 2021. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canadian-alcohol-drugs-survey/2019-summary.html