Harm Reduction Outreach Team

Our team provides a variety of harm reduction and addiction services including individual counseling, groups, prison in-reach, distribution of safer-use supplies, street outreach, and auricular acupuncture.

Groups

Join In/Stay Out is an ongoing weekly support and discussion group for women who have experienced conflict with the law. The goal is to create an empowering and respectful space for women to give and receive support, share resources, and decrease isolation. Join In/Stay Out runs every Tuesday from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at 17 Phoebe Street. This group is facilitated in partnership with the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape and Breakaway. Transpeople are welcome, and the space is accessible. Lunch is provided. Women are welcome to drop in, or call Mella for more information @ 416 561-8819.

Individual Counseling

We offer individual counselling that focuses on substance use and related areas (trauma, oppression, support to deal with systems – legal, health, immigration, etc.). We use a harm reduction framework to support people, who use drugs, to live better according to the person’s own definition of better.

Counselling happens on an outreach basis. We can meet you in your local neighbourhood, park, downtown location, or at our office. Counselling can also include the distribution of free safer use, sex, and auricular acupuncture supplies. To connect with a counselor, please call Mella at 416-561-8819 or Bo Yih at 416-953-2227.

Distribution of safer-use supplies

Breakaway brings user friendly services to active substance users in the South Etobicoke area. The Outreach Team provides harm reduction outreach along the Lakeshore, from Mimico to Longbranch. The Outreach Worker and Peer Support Workers distribute un-used works, and collects used supplies. Currently, outreach is conducted Monday’s from 12pm until 4:30pm and Thursday’s from 3pm until 7pm.
The outreach team also partners with Women’s Habitat at 140 Islington Ave to provide a women’s only harm reduction drop–in space. The drop-in is open Monday’s from 6pm until 8pm.
Safer use supplies are also available at our Etobicoke location. For hours of operation, please call 416-234-1942.

Prison in-reach

The Harm Reduction Outreach Team visits Vanier Centre for Women on a weekly basis, and Grand Valley Institute intermittantly. We offer one-on-one counselling, as well as harm reduction focused support groups. If women in prison would like to connect with Breakaway, they may request counseling through the social worker on their unit or submit a written request to a corrections officer. We also offer support to women after they are released and living in the community should they choose to continue counselling.

Auricular acupuncture

We offer free auricular acupuncture which is acupuncture performed on the ears. Some benefits of auricular acupuncture are: reduced withdrawal symptoms (helps with aches, headaches, nausea, sweats, cramping, restlessness & cravings), reduced anxiety and/or depression, physical and emotional balance, and better sleep. If you are interested in more information, please click here

Clear Directions

Family & Youth Initiative

Satellite Opiate Treatment