Needle Distribution Working Group

Role of the Needle Distribution Working Group:

• Collaborative Planning & Coordination
• Bring together health, social, and community service organizations whose clients frequently include people who use drugs, to review the current needle distribution program.
• Identify current patterns of connection with clients.
• Identify current distribution that is already happening.
• Identify and quantify gaps, challenges, and opportunities for changes in service delivery.
• Develop a collective action plan for optimizing needle distribution.
• Make decisions on an updated plan of where clients will be redirected.
• Develop and implement a change management and communication plan.
• Implement the change.
• Support and evaluate the change and outcomes.
• End the working group for this stated purpose in 12 months from start.

Community Engagement & Stakeholder Consultation

• Ensure meaningful engagement with people with lived and living experience.
• Seek input from frontline service providers, and inform law enforcement, and local municipalities by sharing meeting minutes.
• Consider the perspectives of Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in the Kenora area.

Evidence-Informed Decision Making

• Review best practices in harm reduction and needle distribution models from other jurisdictions.
• Use data and involved partner input to develop a plan that can realistically be implemented.
• Align with provincial harm reduction policies and public health guidelines.

Service Integration

• This working group will connect with the City of Kenora’s Crime Prevention and Community Safety and Well Being’s subcommittee on needle waste, in order to coordinate services and needs related to disposal.

System Alignment

• Ensure the proposed model integrates with existing healthcare and social service systems.
• Explore partnerships to improve access, reduce stigma, and enhance wraparound supports for clients.
• Coordinate efforts with mental health, addiction services, primary care, and emergency services.

Operational Planning & Implementation Strategy

• Develop a roadmap for implementing changes to the needle distribution program by August/September 2025.
• Outline necessary resources, staffing, and funding considerations.
• Establish clear roles and responsibilities for participating organizations.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Define key performance indicators to assess the effectiveness of the revised program.
• Identify mechanisms for ongoing feedback and program adjustments.
• Ensure transparent reporting to the ANHP OHT Partner Table and stakeholders.