Safe Works Access Program

*Please Note* The SWAP van will be CANCELLED for this evening due to impending weather. SWAP apologizes for this inconvenience.*Please Note* The SWAP van will be CANCELLED for this evening due to impending weather. SWAP apologizes for this inconvenience.

***IMPORTANT NOTICE*** SWAP would like to remind service users of impending weather on Thursday and Friday. We encourage those who can to stop by our office, Thrive, The Gathering Place and/or Choices for Youth(outreach building) to stock up on supplies and/or Naloxone. *Tomorrow’s weather may impact our ability to do outreach tomorrow night. ... Stay safe folks, SWAP

Here’s a neat video explaining why large drugs busts aren’t necessarily effective... check it out if you feel inclined

Please see below on behalf of Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs and PHAC. SWAP is pleased to play a role with this project and fully appreciate the accessibility limits of a computer based survey, particularly during COVID-19 related lockdowns, etc. However, we appreciate any input that can be given, and appreciate our community’s continued support during these challenging times.

*important resource - Please see below on behalf of SUNAR - Substance User Network of the Atlantic Region:

SWAP is incredibly proud of these folks for their bravery and vulnerability, ultimately hoping to reduce discrimination and prejudice against people who use drugs. CBC article: https://www.cbc.ca//newfoundland-labrador/germain-pointofv... Accompanying video:

Information below on HOW TO REMOTE SPOT SOMEONE WHO USES DRUGS. It’s never too late to prepare for a safe holiday season!

Looking for a last minute Christmas gift? SWAP has received a new order of shirts shown below in sizes small-3xl. Shirts are $25.00 and can be reserved by messaging this page or phone (757 7927).... Shirts can be picked up and paid for (cash only) from Friday, December 18th until 4:00pm on December 23rd. We’re located at 47 Janeway place and are open from 9:00am-4:00pm. Thank you so much to the community for your support with this project/idea! Your support is critical to allow us to better serve anybody who needs us! Happy Holidays, and Stay Safe!

Today begins National Addictions Awareness Week. This years theme is ‘Change Begins with Me’. At SWAP, we’re working to find creative solutions to systematic challenges and work to improve the discrimination that people who use drugs continue to deal with on a daily basis What’s your change?

We LOVE our Natural Helpers. People who use drugs are the real first responders to the overdose crisis. We understand not everybody may feel comfortable accessing our services; In a world where criminalization and stigma still exists it's important to take care of each other whenever and wherever possible. "Each of these lives saved belongs to someone’s sibling, parent, child or friendbut above all, regardless of their relationships, to a person."

Trans Day of Remembrance . Thanks to our friends @ Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy - CSSDP for this powerful message: Trans Liberation is Harm Reduction.

SWAP’s manager Em was in Halifax this week exploring the incredible work and advances in Harm Reduction with Mainline Needle Exchange, Direction 180, Halifax Substance User Network - SUN and ReFIX (Atlantic Canada’s first OPS). It’s a privilege to meet and connect with more and more of our Atlantic colleagues each year!

Opioids aren't the only thing that need to be considered when having a conversation around a safe supply. "Border closures have caused major disruptions to drug supplies, increasing the need to cut the existing supply with substances such as fentanyl or benzodiazepines." The overdose crisis has such a focus in opioids, and it’s understandable why, they told Filter, but those of us who use stimulants are often left unheard, and not believed about meth or cocaine being contaminated with fentanyl or benzos.

See you on Thursday