Wâhkôhtowin Harm Reduction
Providing education, information, and support to reduce harm
Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre’s Wâhkôhtowin Harm Reduction program provides education, information, supplies, and support to help reduce harm in the community. The program is grounded in dignity, compassion, safety, and non-judgmental care.
Through harm reduction education, drug checking services, and supervised support for adults 18+, Nēwo-Yōtina works to reduce overdoses, increase awareness, and connect individuals with health, wellness, housing, and community resources.
Location
1635 11th Ave
Regina SK, S4P 0H5
Hours
Monday to Sunday
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Who We Serve
Adults 18+
For safe consumption services
Drug Checking Information
How the Service Works
Drug checking is a free service available in person at Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre. Samples are analyzed on a first-come, first-served basis and testing usually takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes, depending on wait times.
The FTIR spectrometer is used to help identify substances that may be present in a sample. Staff can also provide education, answer questions, and share information about substance awareness and risk reduction.
Education and Awareness
Our harm reduction team provides respectful, non-judgmental education for clients and the public. Staff are available to answer questions, share information about substances, explain potential risks, and connect individuals with additional supports when needed.
The goal is to create a safer, more informed community where people can access support without shame or stigma.
Limitations of Testing
FTIR spectroscopy is a helpful harm-reduction tool, but it does have limitations. Results may identify substances present in a sample and may estimate approximate amounts, but those estimates do not always reflect the potency or strength of a substance. Individual reactions can also vary.
Because of this, drug checking should be understood as one part of a broader harm reduction approach, alongside education, support, and connection to care.
Safe Consumption Site
Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre operates Canada’s only Indigenous-led Harm Reduction and Safe Consumption Site. The site supports adults 18+ under the observation of a Primary Care Paramedic, helping prevent overdoses and adverse medical effects associated with drug use.
This service is rooted in care, safety, and respect. It provides a supervised environment while also helping individuals connect with additional health, housing, cultural, and community supports.
Safe Consumption Site Hours
Monday to Sunday
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM and on statutory holidays.
A Harm Reduction Approach Rooted in Community
Harm reduction recognizes that every person deserves dignity, safety, and access to care. At Nēwo-Yōtina, this work is about more than services. It is about relationship, trust, education, and meeting people where they are.
Through Wâhkôhtowin Harm Reduction, Nēwo-Yōtina helps reduce stigma, prevent harm, and support community members with compassion and respect.