OHTN Research Conference, Nov 11 -13, 2012 Joanne Lush, AIDS Bureau, Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care
Maria Hatzipantelis, Ontario HIV Treatment Network
Evaluation background Evaluation purpose
Methods
Preliminary Findings –
◦ How does the IDU outreach program impact the lives of people who access services?
In Sept. 1997 the AIDS Bureau recognized the
need to find a practical intervention to assist in preventing an outbreak of HIV in the injection drug using community in Ontario
AIDS Bureau developed 15 injection drug use
(IDU) outreach worker positions across Ontario
To date, there are 20 IDU outreach program sites
To identify the outcomes of the IDU outreach
program and areas to be strengthened or changed
Evaluation guided by a community advisory
committee
◦ staff from program sites, provincial harm reduction agency, OHTN staff, AIDS Bureau
64 people who access IDU outreach services
were recruited at 15 program sites
Semi-structured Interviews
◦ In-person
◦ At a safe space chosen by each program site
Safer injection supplies (kits, sharps container) Safer inhalation supplies
Condoms
Food & water
Clothing & hygiene products Transportation tickets
Safer injecting practices & injection sites Abscess treatment
Drug use information HIV, Hep C & testing
Outreach workers provide valuable personal
support
The outreach program:
◦ is accessible
◦ keeps communities safe
◦ improves clients’ self-esteem
◦ reduces use of injection drugs
“With life problems – relationships, trouble
with family, relapsing, staying clean, being
stressed out, nightmares.”
“If there is outreach workers, there is
human contact. They will help you get
better or feel better at least. They can help
you change if you want it.”
“If I am having a rough day they get me through. Being able to talk to them. Shit doesn’t go your way. Just having them confirm and acknowledge my feelings that it is okay. You are ok. It is okay to
feel how you are feeling. You are going to make it through. It is okay. Acknowledgement goes a
“It has impacted me – by trust. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t trust these people – I was
always given dignity when I talked to these outreach workers and if it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t be here. Respect and being solid.”
"It is handier. They [outreach] come to me and then I have people come to me to get stuff off of us. … And
then they bring their used needle to us and we hand them in to the van.”
“With my age getting on, in the winter, with the snow, I wouldn’t be able to go in and get supplies. I don’t
have a vehicle and no bus tickets. …”
“With my disability it is hard for me to get out and get around so it is handy for them to come to me.”
“Some people say the van is a bad thing - But look at how many dirty needles they don’t have
to pick up from their front lawns.” “Safety to the community, not needles
everywhere …”
“There is always a spot to get rid of them – not in an alley, not in the sewer.”
“I have changed my view from looking at myself as someone who doesn’t have anything to contribute or isn’t worth anything. I see myself
as someone who can put back into the community and can contribute to the
community. I can look for jobs, I can find a job and contribute; even with my drug use I can still
“I am off the needles now. I wouldn’t have been able to do that as fast and as healthy without the program. I would probably be struggling.”
“I use a clean one every time and people who
use at my house do as well. But their
probability of getting Hep C and AIDS from
injecting is nil. That is how it is mostly
transferred in our little sub-culture. It is
common sense.”
“It is working. It is preventing disease. People
don’t need to do stupid shit. You don’t have
to share rigs. You don’t have to use a puddle.”
“Made me a lot more aware and provided me the equipment to do things safely – after that it
is up to me to do it. … A good step in the right direction - ability to avoid disease … saves a huge amount of people from AIDS – even if you
save a few cases a year it will save a huge amount of money.”
“If it wasn’t for the outreach program I truly believe they are the reason I am not infected. I don’t know if I wouldn’t be if it wasn’t around. I would be infected because I would use what is
available and if clean rigs weren’t, then I would reuse. I don’t have to now. I have that option, I
In collaboration with the advisory committee:
Complete the evaluation report
Develop recommendations for IDU Outreach
Program Guidelines
Identify knowledge translation & exchange
opportunities
Facilitate dialogue with program sites about
Thank you to all the people who spoke with us. Thank you to the Community Advisory Committee:
◦ Anne Christie-Teeter (Somerset West CHC, Ottawa)
◦ Jason Altenberg (South Riverdale CHC, Toronto)
◦ Nick Boyce (Ontario HIV & Substance Use Training Program)
◦ Rhonda Thompson (AIDS Niagara, St. Catherines)
◦ Shaun Hopkins (The Works, Toronto Public Health)
◦ Sheila Coad (formerly RHAC, London)
Staff support
◦ Charles Shamess, Maria Hatzipantelis, Ayden Scheim, Jason
Globerman
◦ For more information contact:
Joanne Lush joanne.lush@ontario.ca
