OUR SERVICES
Harm reduction is a pragmatic and evidence-based approach to minimizing the negative health, social, and legal impacts associated with drug use, drug policies, and drug laws. Rather than demanding abstinence, it focuses on promoting safer practices, preventing overdose and disease transmission, and recognizing the complex factors that influence substance use. The philosophy acknowledges that while some behaviors carry risks, offering practical strategies to reduce harm is more effective than purely punitive or prohibition-based approaches.
Core examples include needle exchange programs, supervised consumption sites, naloxone distribution, and education about safer use practices. These interventions have been shown to save lives, reduce healthcare costs, and create pathways to treatment for those who seek it. Harm reduction also emphasizes treating people who use drugs with dignity and respect, recognizing their autonomy while providing resources and support to protect their health and well-being.
ENSEMBLE AT A GLANCE…
Mission: Alleviating complex social challenges.
Vision: Through empowerment and hope, build a community that fosters diversity, inclusion and health.
We work to:
Reduce harm; a nonjudgmental approach that recognizes drug use exists and so attempts to minimize the harms and risks associated with drug use.
Help improve the quality of life for persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and help reduce the spread of HIV and other STIs, through education and prevention programs.
HARM REDUCTION SERVICES
THE NEEDLE DISTRIBUTION SERVICE
The Needle Distribution operates under the principles of harm reduction; a nonjudgmental approach that recognizes drug use exists and so attempts to minimize the harms and risks associated with injection drug use. It does this by providing injection and other harm reduction supplies, factual information, and referrals to other services; while ensuring that service users are recognized and respected as people first. Service users are also encouraged to return their used needles, thus ensuring proper disposal and reducing the chances of needle-related accidents. A large 24/7 disposal bin donated by Downtown Moncton Centre-ville Inc. is available outside the building near the front entrance of the Needle Distribution service entrance is at the front door.
TAKE HOME NALOXONE KITS
If you or a loved one is at risk of opioid overdose, you can obtain a free Naloxone kit at our office after completing our in-house training OR the online course below.
OVERDOSE PREVENTION SITE
The ENSEMBLE Overdose Prevention Site is a welcoming, safe and supportive space for people who use substances. The OPS provides trained staff who oversee the consumption of uncontrolled substances and provide rapid intervention in the event of an accidental overdose. The site offers:
- Staff supervised injection booths
- New consumption supplies for use at site
- Harm reduction education and support
- Connections to other services on site: counselling, health care
- Connections to other community services
- Machine on site to test substances
*Smoking of substances is not permitted at the site.
PRIMARY HEALTHCARE SERVICES
Providing primary healthcare services to our clients in addition to harm reduction services and services surrounding infectious diseases (STBBI).
We created a short summary of the 2018 New Brunswick Harm Reduction Survey to highlight some of the key findings. The statistics below show the importance of having harm reduction services in our province.
In the 2018 NB Harm Reduction Survey, 14% of survey participants said that they had overdosed in the last 6 months. We compiled a small list of important tips to preventing an overdose. To acquire some of our various harm reduction resources or to book a presentation, please send an email to general@ensemblegm.ca .
