The Point (harm reduction supplies and services)
Access to services during COVID-19
Effective July 2, 2020, if you are visiting our office locations for service, you will need to wear a face covering (e.g. medical or a non-medical mask or other face covering) at all times. This is the case whether you are receiving services that involve close contact or not. Certain exceptions may apply (for example, based on age or medical circumstances). We encourage you to bring your own mask. If you don’t have a mask or forgot to bring yours, we will give you one for your appointment, supplies permitting.
The new requirement provides additional protection as distancing is not always guaranteed. To learn more about our services and some of the changes in place due to COVID-19, please check our Public Health services page.
The Point is a free and confidential program that provides harm reduction supplies and services to people who use drugs. It aims to reduce the risks of getting or passing on infectious diseases, like HIV and hepatitis C, and reduce risks associated with using drugs. We are committed to offering our clients services with respect and without judgement.
As of July 1st, The Point’s Rainbow Mall location will be close at 4:00pm.
Free supplies and services:
- needles, injection and inhalation equipment for injecting or inhaling drugs
- information about safer drug use
- information about safer sex
- community referrals to services
- disposal containers for used needles and sharps
- condoms and lube
The Sexual Health Clinic, located within Public Health Sudbury & Districts’ Rainbow Centre site, also offers hepatitis B and C testing, hepatitis B vaccinations, anonymous HIV testing, and other services.
Have you found a needle?
Learn how to safely pick up a discarded needle and what to do with it.
The Point locations
- Public Health Sudbury & Districts
10 Elm Street, Unit 130, Sudbury
Rainbow Centre Site
*On-site pickup: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Sudbury Action Centre for Youth
95 Pine Street South, Sudbury
705.673.4396
*Outreach services only. - Réseau ACCESS network
111 Larch Street, Suite 401, Sudbury
705.688.0500
*Outreach services only. - Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy (OAHAS)
96 Larch Street, Suite 401, Sudbury
705.674.9449
*Outreach services only.
Frequently asked questions
What is harm reduction?
From a Public Health perspective, harm reduction is a set of non-judgemental policies and programs that aim to provide or enhance skills, knowledge, resources, and support for people so that they can live safer, healthier lives3. Harm reduction interventions can be targeted at the individual, family, community, or society4. Examples of public health harm reduction strategies include condom distribution, smoking bans in public places, safer sex campaigns, needle exchange programs (NEP), and low-risk alcohol drinking campaigns. Harm reduction is used to encourage people to adopt acceptable behavioural change, no matter how small, to reduce, if not, eliminate risk. For many people who use drugs, harm reduction is often the first or only link that they have to the health and social service system, and it can be a pathway to addiction treatment.
Does harm reduction work?
Harm reduction strategies are based on evidence. Research shows that needle exchange programs do reduce the number of new infections of HIV and reduce risk behaviours among individuals who inject drugs. In addition to health promotion, needle exchange programs also provide cost savings to the health care system.
Why is it necessary to provide supplies to people using drugs?
Public Health’s role is to reduce the harms and costs of infections like HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, and to reduce transmission. Having access to needles and other supplies reduces the spread of these diseases as well as other serious health conditions.
This item was last modified on June 30, 2020