Background
Direction 180, a program of the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, is a non-profit, community-based opioid treatment program located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In operation since 2001, Direction 180 works primarily with people who use substances and offers a low threshold harm reduction model of care.
The mission of Direction 180 is to improve the health and well-being of individuals by reducing the inherent risks associated with opioid use disorder (OUD) including: drug poisoning, decreasing the spread of blood borne infections, vaccine-preventable infections, endocarditis, sexually transmitted infections, and social harms including homelessness, involvement with sex work, and the criminal justice system.
"We continue to provide treatment & support whether a person chooses an abstinence or harm reduction approach to their recovery.”
Approach
Direction 180 aims to not only reduce the harms and complications associated with OUD 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, mental/psychological well-being, and physical health. This is achieved through the provision of opioid agonist treatment, medical monitoring, blood borne pathogen testing and treatment, vaccines, peer support, counseling, advocacy and referral to other health and social services.
Direction 180 has successfully developed and implemented over 75 research projects, health promotion initiatives, needs assessments and demonstration projects with the aim of reducing the inherent risks of substance use while improving health and social outcomes for people who use substances.
