Future+Directions

 **Future Directions for Research and Change **

For change to occur, society must change their views on drugs, their usage as well as the people who partake in drug-using behaviour. By stigmatizing people based on their drug use, we push away those who need treatment and help most. The line between suicide and heroin may not be a perfect correlation but enough studies have suggested a strong enough relationship to warrant some serious consideration into the development of facilities and programs for this population.

Programs that are advertised may assist in spreading the word that there are alternatives to the drug use. Not only does advertising allow for information-spreading, it also lessens the stigma of using drugs intravenously. Heroin users are often marginalized due to the route of administration they use; society deems IV drug use to be far more dangerous than other methods such as snorting, smoking or ingesting.

Ideally, screening for suicidal ideation should be frequent throughout high school where there appear to be more high-risk populations. As well, screening for drug use should also be taken to develop an idea as to what triggers the use and whether any interventions can occur during that time.

At the present time, there are limited resources for someone suffering from suicidal thoughts as well as a heroin use concern. Individually, there are numerous places to receive help should one be suicidal such as Ontario Shores or [|Distress Centre Durham]. The former is based in Whitby and offers residential as well as out-patient treatment. Distress Centre Durham is a hot-line one can call at any time and speak with someone confidentially about their thoughts about suicide and other concerns.

Should one require assistance for a heroin use concern, [|D.A.R.T.] allows the individual to access a multitude of services across Ontario. Needle exchange program can be found at [|these Toronto locations.]

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