Substance Use and Harm Reduction

Many people use substances to relax, have fun, cope with stress, or to improve their performance. Most people experience no harms or minimal harms related to their substance use. However, for others, using substances can have negative impacts on their health and well-being. It is important to understand that the risk of experiencing harm is not evenly distributed. This is due to health inequities, which are unnecessary and avoidable differences that are unfair and unjust. Specific factors that increase risk of substance-related harm include:

• A history of mental health concerns, substance use, trauma, abuse, and stigma
• Lack of social support (e.g., unstable or insecure housing)
• Lack of comprehensive and coordinated healthcare and social service follow-up
• Environment and social context

Learn More About…

Our Local Strategy

PPH monitors substance-related trends, including emergency department visits, paramedic calls for service, and deaths, to inform the community about potential increased risks in the drug supply. This data is published on the Opioid Harms Data Portal. We also collect anonymous information from the community about bad drug reactions, using the Drug Reporting Tool, to help alert the community. Our team also works to increase education, awareness, and access to resources through participation in community events and training opportunities.

PPH also works closely with many local partners to address substance use within our community, including as a member of Peterborough Drug Strategy (PDS). PDS is a collaboration of community organizations throughout Peterborough City and County that work towards reducing the harms of substance use. The Strategy is based on the four pillars of: prevention, harm reduction, enforcement, and treatment. For more about PDS, visit peterboroughdrugstrategy.com.

Medication Take-Back

Do you have unused medications in your home? Medication Take-Back Peterborough is part of a provincial program that allows an individual to return unused medication to any pharmacy for free. You can bring back:

• All prescriptions
• Vitamins and other natural health products
• Antibacterial and anti-fungal creams
• Over-the-counter pills or liquids

Taking back unused medications helps keep you and your family safe! It can prevent the misuse of medication, or accidentally taking expired medications that don’t work anymore. When improperly disposed of, medications can impact the environment. By bringing any unused medications back, pharmacies can ensure that they are disposed of properly. Visit Peterborough Drug Strategy’s webpage for more information.

To support pharmacies in promoting and providing this service, Peterborough Public Health has resources (e.g., posted, flyers, etc.) that can be provided for free. The Health Unit also has a display banner that can be loaned to pharmacies to promote the program. Call PPH at 705-743-1000 for more information.