Application Activity Assignment #2: Harm Reduction approaches within the Community

15% of Final Grade

Due Date: Week 12 by 1159pm the day of your class.

Purpose

As future law enforcement officers, students will be working with people engaged in substance use and
people who are living with drug addictions. Harm Reduction is a philosophy that is focused on removing
some of the harm associated with drug use by providing safer options. Numerous harm reduction
programs exist that work to reduce the harms for people who use drugs, increase public safety and
health and decrease the need for law enforcement intervention.

This application activity provides students the opportunity to engage with an authentic and
collaborative learning experience to research Harm Reduction programs within the Greater Toronto
Area and critically reflect on the interventions used for people experiencing addictions.

Description
For this application assignment, students will select a Harm Reduction Program in the Greater Toronto
Area (City of Toronto or regional municipalities of Durham, Halton, Peel or York) and research a specific
program.
The following course learning objectives will be met throughout the assignment:

• Recognize the impact of stigma on people experiencing issues related to substance use and
mental health through discussions and case review

• Examine best practices and harm reduction approaches within the community for intervening
with people experiencing addictions

• Discuss community capacity and mobilization and identify gaps in mental health services,
particularly for over-represented and marginalized groups within the criminal justice system

Tasks:
To support completion of this Assignment, please move through the following tasks in order.
Task 1: Research Harm Reduction
Ensure having a thorough understanding of what Harm Reduction.
Below you will find examples of articles and documents that may support you in beginning the
research process. This reading is in addition to classroom material discussed in Week 7 class and
posted on Blackboard. However additional research beyond these links is required.
Links:
- Canadian Drug Policy Coalition
- Principles of Harm Reduction
- Harm reduction and overdose prevention services
- CMHA: Harm Reduction
- CAMH: Harm reduction and where to go when looking for help
- CAMH: Addiction & Harm Reduction
- CAMH: Stigma
- CAMH - The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is a website with numerous
resources and up to date research and programming

Task 2: Select a Harm Reduction Program

Students will research and select a specific harm reduction program within the GTA. This includes
the City of Toronto or the regional municipalities of Durham, Halton, Peel or York.

Harm Reduction Topics to choose from:

1. Safe Injection Sites (can also be called Safe Consumption sites, Overdose Prevention Site,
Consumption & Treatment Service)
2. Needle Exchange Programs (can also be called disposal of supplies)
3. Medication for Opioid use disorder (i.e Methadone Maintenance)
4. Naloxone Kits and Overdose Training
5. Distribution of Harm Reduction Supplies i.e The Van in Toronto
6. Harm Outreach Programs
7. Prison Harm Reduction
8. Smoking Cessation
Students are welcome to select another Harm Reduction program. If choosing a program not on the list
or you are unsure, please email your Professor to seek approval before beginning.

Below are some links of general harm reduction programs that will support you as you begin
researching. Please note that students may choose to use some of these articles however
additional research is also required.
Links:
- Harm Reduction in Peel Region
- Harm Reduction in Toronto
- Opioids in Peel Region
- Harm Reduction in York Region
- Harm Reduction in Halton

Task 3: Research and Critical Reflection Questions

This final presentation will be graded based on the following six areas:
1. Identify the program that you have selected. Discuss what made you/your group decide on this
specific program (2 marks)
2. Briefly describe what harm reduction is and how this particular program is built on principles of
Harm Reduction (3 marks)
3. Describe the program and provide details (5 marks)
Including:
- what the program does
- how do client access services
- how long as the program been running
- discuss the larger organization it is part of (i.e Public Health, CAMH etc).
- what agencies they collaborate with
- data that supports the program
4. What are the benefits of this harm reduction program? Be as specific as you can (2 marks)
5. How does law enforcement within the region support this program and the people that access
services? Is there an existing police relationship? If yes, discuss this mobilization and
engagement. If no, provide ideas of how this could be mobilized or developed (4 marks).
6. Structure of the Presentation (4 marks).
 An outstanding final product will consist of well crafted, sound responses that are clear, concise,
well-reasoned and includes all of the requirements
Including:
- a clear Introduction of all group members and the topic being discussed
- a well-rehearsed group presentation in which all group members clearly participate
- evidence of group collaboration and cohesion for a fluid and flowing final presentation
- creativity and ability to make the presentation ‘come alive’ throughout (i.e is it
engaging? Can you be heard? Is it creative?)
- APA referencing is used throughout the presentation deck/video and a reference page is
included.
Task 4: Organization of the final submission
Students are invited to submit their final product in a format that aligns with their choice of expression.
If working with a group, all group members are required to participate in the final product. The final
product will be a Presentation that can be delivered in one of the following ways:

- A presentation deck or video handed in on Blackboard drop box that includes audio and
visuals (i.e. It can be seen and heard at the same time). This needs to be 7-10 mins in
length
OR
- A presentation and PowerPoint presented in class that is 7-10mins long. Presentations
will take place week 12 in class. If choosing to present in the class, please notify your
Professor by October 31st of this intention.

- Examples of programs that can assist in creating a great presentation include: PowerPoint
Slideshow, Panopto, Prezi etc.
- Students are encouraged to access the Humber Idea Lab “The Idea Lab is a library initiative
designed to support digital fluency at Humber College. The Idea Lab has four components:
studio spaces, workshops, online resources, and student supports.” Link:
https://library.humber.ca/idealab
- All sources are required to be sourced in APA format, this includes photos used in the
presentation. This is a great resource to assist with APA citations.:
https://library.humber.ca/help/apa
 - A reference page is required
- Students can collaborate with up to 4 students to complete this application activity. Only 1
submission per group is required. It is expected that prior to students deciding to work
together, that they have discussed group expectations, process and roles of each person.
Full collaboration is expected of all group members.
- Students who do not use APA format throughout and/or include a reference page, will
receive a maximum grade of 50%.

Deadline and Submission Details

Due Date: Week 12 on the day of your class at 1159pm.

For student/groups submitting a presentation, all presentations are required to be submitted via the
Blackboard Dropbox. Ensure all students full names AND student ID numbers are on the final product.

For students presenting in class, your professor must be emailed by October 17th. Presentations will take
place during week 12 in class.

Any assignments received after the deadline will receive a 5% per day deduction up to a maximum of 7-
days. Students are reminded of their responsibility to ensure receiving an email confirmation from
Blackboard following any Dropbox submission. Students redeeming their Late Voucher are required to
note this in the submission text box.