Programs

PHOTOVOICE PROGRAM

Northern Healthy Connections Society offers a program funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Justice, designed to reach out to individuals in the community living with a substance dependency, which encouraged them to express themselves through photography.

In 2020 the Photovoice Project was aimed at women in recovery. The next program was planned for 2021-22 where NHCS strove to engage high school youth. The group met one afternoon a week for 10-12 weeks and offered structure, peer support, as well as educational sessions on Harm Reduction, sexual health, building self-esteem, and focused on awareness campaigns.

Photovoice is a fun, accessible, and therapeutic way to express your thoughts and feelings. Photovoice programs have been utilized throughout Canada as a creative outlet used in social work, community organizations, counselling and more.

For more information on what Photovoice means and how you might benefit from it, contact NHCS by phoning the office at (902)-895-0931.

“We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and adventure to discover our own shine”

“This sewing machine helped me sew up my life one stitch at a time”

“This program helped me put a lid on my demons”

“This group gave me a family that is sincerely mine”

NALOXONE PROGRAM

Northern Healthy Connections Society distributes free, take-home Naloxone Kits.

What is Naloxone?
Naloxone is a drug used to temporarily reverse the effects of an opiate overdose. This is effective for up to 90 minutes, allowing precious time to seek emergency medical attention.

Did you know that…
You can receive Naloxone training? Training takes less than 30 minutes and is offered by a trained staff member at the Northern Healthy Connections Society. Naloxone is safe, harmless, and effective in the temporary reversal of an opiate overdose.

It will have no effect unless there are opiates present in the person’s system. It is not addictive and allergic reactions are extremely rare.

Who Should Have a Kit?
Everyone who is concerned about the overdose crisis around the globe.

A person may need a Naloxone Kit if they are:

Someone who uses opiates, prescribed or otherwise
A friend or family member of someone who uses opiates
Service providers such as teachers, school counsellors, library staff, and mental health professionals
A parent or guardian of young adults

For more detailed information on Naloxone, check out the Nova Scotia Naloxone Program website at http://www.nsnaloxone.com/

HEALTHY SNACKS PROGRAM

Thanks to the generous support from United Way of Colchester and Cumberland County, NHCS has been able to provide supplemental nutrition to clients through the new Healthy Snacks Program.

Clients can access this program at the Fixed Site as well as from the Mobile Outreach Services. This program is only available when funding permits.

NHCS distributes a variety of snacks. NHCS is currently working with a Dalhousie University Health Promotion student to provide more nutritional value in our Healthy Snacks Program.

BACKPACK PROGRAM

Northern Healthy Connections Society has formed the Backpack Program, which aims to help reduce the amount of used needles and other substance related supplies discarded in public areas.

Volunteers will be given supplies to safely pick up any used needles or substance related supplies. The Backpack Project was part of the Community Connector Program, funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Volunteers will be be provided with:

1 plain backpack
Garbage bags
Gloves
1 information packet
1 small sharps container, to be returned when full

To volunteer to participate in the Backpack Project, Contact NHCS via phone or ask a staff member when picking up supplies at the NHCS fixed site at 33 Pleasant St, Truro.

PFLAG TRURO CHAPTER

PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) is proud to be affiliated with NHCS! A chapter of PFLAG Canada, Truro’s very own local PFLAG group was started by moms of gender-diverse children and has expanded into a full resource group for anybody who wishes to support a friend or family member under the 2SLGBTQ+ umbrella!

Contact PFLAG Truro on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for more information.

CONDOM CO-OP

The Condom Co-op aims to improve access to free condoms in the Northern Zone (Colchester-East Hants, Cumberland, and Pictou Counties). NHCS purchases condoms in bulk and sells them at cost to partnering agencies.

Bags of 100 condoms are offered to community partners for $30.00 a bag.

Partnering agencies taking part in this program are:

John Howard Restorative Justice for Youth
Nova Scotia Community College – Truro Campus
Slate Rock Youth Centre
The Lotus Centre
Canadian Mental Health Association

Other agencies who offer access to condoms in northern Nova Scotia:

Dalhousie Agricultural College Health Services
Colchester Sexual Assault Centre
School Teen Health Centre’s throughout northern Nova Scotia
Sexual Health for Cumberland County
Public Health Offices in northern Nova Scotia

HEP C AWARENESS PROGRAM

Northern Healthy Connections Society provides a multitude of resources and awareness material related to Hepatitis C, a common infection among people who inject, snort, or inhale substances.

What is Hep C?
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes the liver to become inflamed, which can lead to serious liver damage. The infection spreads when contaminated blood enters the bloodstream of an uninfected person.

Symptoms:
Some people who have contracted acute Hep C won’t experience symptoms at all; however, asymptomatic does not mean it can’t still be transmitted to another person.

Early Signs of Hep C Infection:

Fever
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
Dark-coloured urine
Joint or muscle

Who’s at Risk?
Anybody can contract Hep C if they are exposed to contaminated blood.

High-risk individuals can include:

Healthcare workers (nurses, home-care workers)
People who work in healthcare can be exposed to contaminated blood, such as an accidental needle prick.
People who get piercings/tattoos
Tattoo or piercing shops that do not observe proper safety precautions can clients to Hep C through contaminated supplies. Always do your research beforehand.
People living with substance dependencies who share supplies
Hep C can be transmitted through shared needles. It can also spread through tiny cuts in the mouth and throat. Try to avoid sharing pipes and mouth-pieces.
Children born to mothers who have Hep C
Pregnant women who have Hep C can pass it on to their unborn child.

Hep C is treatable and curable. A simple blood test can detect whether you have contracted the virus.

If you are concerned about a possible exposure to Hep C, talk to your doctor or make an appointment at your local walk-in clinic.

If you need assistance in making an appointment (access to a phone/computer, unsure what to ask for etc) please contact NHCS and ask for Support Coordinator Alana Weatherbee (she/her.)

BETTER OFF IN THE BOX

NHCS provides safe and secure needle disposal boxes in discreet locations throughout the Northern Health Zone. Two of these boxes are located in the town of Truro, one in the town of Amherst and eight are located throughout the Millbrook First Nations community.

NHCS also supplies small, medium and large sharps containers to clients that can be returned back to our office at 33 Pleasant St, Truro.

Based on the promising model of practice at Masstown Market .

Masstown Market is located off of the Trans Canada Highway 104 and has been a tremendous supporter of the Better Off In The Box program by installing sharps containers in the washrooms of their 4 locations. NHCS commends the efforts made by management at Masstown Market as this reduces the number of loose needles, diabetic lances, and insulin syringes found in the community and surrounding areas.