May 1, 2026
Greetings,
Re: Community Drug Strategy for the City of Greater Sudbury Position Statement – Harm Reduction, A Key Component of a Comprehensive Substance Use Approach
Today the Community Drug Strategy for the City of Greater Sudbury is pleased to share with you our Position Statement – Harm Reduction, A Key Component of a Comprehensive Substance Use Approach.
The Community Drug Strategy supports and deeply emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to the toxic drug crisis. This approach is foundational in creating healthier communities for all. We affirm that harm reduction is not only an essential component of a comprehensive, evidence-informed approach, but also a moral obligation grounded in the principles of public health, human rights, and equity.
Harm reduction is rooted in the understanding that substance use is complex and that abstinence is not a viable option for everyone. It focuses on providing safe, compassionate support without requiring abstinence. Harm reduction offers a supportive approach that fosters stability in health and well-being, while promoting humanity, trust, and inclusivity.
Key themes include
- Affirmation of harm reduction as a foundational pillar in a comprehensive substance use strategy
- Dedicated support for harm reduction that centers dignity, autonomy, the voices of people with lived and living experience, and challenges stigma across systems.
- Commitment to evidence-informed policies and practices.
- Meaningful involvement of people with lived and living experience in collective decision-making processes
- Recognition that the toxic drug crisis is complex and affects people in different ways, andmeeting people where they are at on the substance use health spectrum.
In recent years, harm reduction has seen shrinking public and political support. This is unfortunate given the strong science showing that it saves lives. We believe that to rebuild and maintain strong support for harm reduction, it is critical that we continue to explain its merits. This statement is a step in that larger effort.
The statement affirms harm reduction as a core element of a comprehensive, population-focused approach to substance use and is integrated with health promotion, treatment, and prevention strategies. Through this statement, harm reduction is affirmed as a guiding principle for all strategic actions, communications, and collaborations, ensuring the strategy reflects evidence informed, person-centered approaches that address the health, social, and economic impacts of substance use.
We encourage you to review the attached Position Statement and consider how its principles align with and support our collective work. Your engagement and ongoing collaboration are valued as we continue to advance approaches grounded in dignity, equity, and evidence-informed practice. We welcome ongoing discussion as we work to align our actions with these shared commitments.
Thank you for your continued dedication to supporting our community.
Sincerely,
Co-Chairs for the Community Drug Strategy for the City of Greater Sudbury,
Tyler Campbell
General Manager of Community Well-Being
City of Greater Sudbury
M.Mustafa Hirji
Medical Officer of Health
Public Health Sudbury & Districts
cc: Honourable Vijay Thanigasalam, Ontario Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions John Lord, Executive Director, Ontario Public Health Association
Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH)
Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Chair, Council of Medical Officers of Health (COMOH) Jamie West, Member of Provincial Parliament, Sudbury
France Gélinas, Member of Provincial Parliament, Nickel Belt Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament, Sudbury
Greater Sudbury City Council Ontario Boards of Health
Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa)