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Harm Reduction Services
Since 1993, the AIDS Committee of Windsor has distributed more than 1.8 million clean needles with a phenomenal return rate of 99.02%!
This means that not only is the ACW helping to keep our community free of used needles, but according to Dr. Jeff Cohen at the HIV Care Clinic, “Windsor/Essex has one of the lowest HIV rates among People who use Drugs (PUDs) because of the needle exchange program run by the ACW.”
Rooted in the measures taken to reduce the spread of HIV among injection drug users in the 1980s, the most commonly accepted definition of harm reduction is "measures taken to address drug problems that are open to outcomes other than abstinence or cessation of use." - Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.
Both our Windsor and Chatham offices offer a free confidential drop-in during business hours as well as a regularly scheduled outreach program. This includes Needle Exchange, informal counseling, safer sex supplies, educational pamphlets and food. Call the closest office to you for specific times and locations.
Windsor drop in hours are:
Monday, Thursday and Friday 9 am – 5 pm
Tuesday and Wednesday 9 am – 9 pm
Chatham drop in hours are:
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 9 am – 5 pm
Tuesday 9 am – 7 pm
Friday 9 am – 6 pm
For information on our philosophy and position on Harm Rediction position, please see our Harm Reduction Position Statement (PDF)