Naloxone Kits & Test Strips: Mail-Order Harm Reduction Revolution

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Safe Works Access Program (SWAP) is pioneering a unique harm reduction strategy by mailing essential medical supplies directly to individuals who use drugs. This initiative, which includes sterile needles, naloxone kits, and fentanyl test strips, is designed to mitigate the risks associated with unregulated street drugs.

Sarah Torraville, an office worker at SWAP, emphasizes the program's role in ensuring clients can use drugs as safely as possible. The supplies help prevent the transmission of HIV and Hepatitis C, offer a means to reverse overdoses with naloxone, and allow users to detect dangerous substances like fentanyl and benzodiazepines.

This mail-based distribution model is highlighted as innovative by Gillian Kolla, a public health researcher at Memorial University. She notes its particular importance for rural and remote areas across Canada, where access to harm reduction services is often limited. Mailing supplies bridges this gap, providing discrete access and overcoming the stigma often faced in smaller communities.

As of February 23, 2026, 71 people in Newfoundland and Labrador have died from accidental overdose in 2026, with Canada recording 7,146 such deaths. Experts stress the urgent need for well-resourced harm reduction services to avert a worsening public health crisis. SWAP's efforts are seen as a vital step in potentially lowering overdose rates and reducing the burden on the healthcare system by preventing injuries and diseases.

SWAP also partners with numerous organizations and pharmacies province-wide to distribute supplies. Torraville notes that her role, and that of her colleagues, often serves as a crucial first point of contact for individuals seeking support for recovery, rehabilitation, or reducing drug use, fostering a non-judgmental environment for open communication.