Supporting the community
Direction 180 has been a program of the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre since 2001 and has extensive experience in project development and implementation with the aim of improving health outcomes for PWUS. Since inception, Direction 180 has developed and implemented over 50 health promotion and research initiatives with the aim of improving health and social outcomes for people who use substances.
About Us
Direction 180, a program of the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, is a non-profit community-based opioid treatment program located in the North End of Halifax, Nova Scotia. In operation since 2001, Direction 180 works primarily with people who use substances (PWUS). Employing a low threshold harm reduction model of care, Direction 180 continues to offer treatment and support to PWUS regardless if a person discontinues the use of opioids and/or other substances and alcohol.
The mission of Direction 180 is to reduce the inherent risks associated with opioid use disorder (OUD) and intravenous drug use (IDU) including; decreasing the spread of blood borne infections (HIV, hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV)), sexually transmitted infections, vaccine-preventable infections, drug overdose, endocarditis and social harms including homelessness, involvement with sex work and the criminal justice system.
Direction 180 aims to not only reduce the harms and complications associated with OUD and IDU for the affected individuals, but also their families, the community and health care systems. Direction 180’s program was designed and implemented based upon the social determinants of health, recognizing that substance use and recovery are often dependent on various issues such as housing, mental/psychological health, income, social support networks, employment and education.
Direction 180 aids in the overall care of clients in an effort to improve the client’s quality of life, living conditions, mental/psychological well-being, and physical health. This is achieved through the provision of opioid agonist treatment, medical monitoring, blood borne pathogen testing, hepatitis C treatment, support for antiretroviral treatment adherence, vaccinations, counseling, advocacy and community referral.
Programs and Services
Health Services
- Addiction medical assessment and follow-up medical care
- Hepatitis C care and treatment
- Wound care
- …
Programs and Support
- One-on-one peer support
- Recovery support programs
- Recreational activities
- …
Support for Family and Friends
- When a loved one is struggling with opioid use, family members, loved ones and friends are often confused about what to do…
- …
Our Partnerships
