Throughout the year, MHRN organizes and supports our networks in putting on events, to mark a variety of commemorative and awareness days. These include Sexual Health Awareness Week, World Hepatitis Day, International Overdose Awareness Day, National Substance Use Awareness Week, World AIDS Day and Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week.
In addition to these annual events, we organize a biennial harm reduction conference, held in different rural, remote and Indigenous communities, and periodically put on training and workshops open to the public.
Visit our Facebook Page for information about upcoming events and current campaigns.
Manitoba Harm Reduction Conferences/gatherings
november 15-17, 2022
After 2 years away due to the Covid-19 pandemic, MRHN's biennial conference is returning. “Being A Shit Disturber Is An Act Of Love”: focusing on decriminalization and safe supply. Our 2022 conference will be held at the Viscount Gort Hotel and Conference Center 1670 Portage Ave Winnipeg, MB.
november 28th, 2019
On November 28th, 2019 the MHRN hosted a gathering focused on addressing the discourses for cis women, two spirit, transgender, queer, and non-binary people who are pregnant and parenting and use substances. The day included meaningful discussions to shift the dialogue and activities that address the discourses, policies, and practices that harm parents who use substances. The goal was to use the information gathered to create an action plan and a provincial campaign to roll out over the next few years. Full report:
>Click to see full report
February 27 - March 1, 2018
MRHN's biennial conference, focusing on improving access in Northern, rural, remote, & Indigenous communities. Our 2018 conference will be held on Brokenhead Ojibway Nation at South Beach Casino.
>Visit our conference page
National Substance Use Awareness Week
Substance Use Awareness Week is MHRN’s reworking of National Addictions Awareness Week, broadening the scope, focusing on systemic harms, and using less stigmatizing language. In 2017 we did our first social media campaign aimed at getting people to think differently about substance use, and followed in the same vein with our subsequent campaigns. Each year the campaign performs exceptionally well, reaching over 26,000 people with our most viewed and shared post.
november 24th-30th, 2019
National Addictions Awareness Week is an event held in November each year and highlights issues and solutions to help address alcohol- and other drug-related harm.
Starting in 2017, we decided it was time to change the conversation. We know that many of the harms associated with substance use are a direct result of stigma, discrimination and criminalization. Rather than focus on addiction and harms, we want to celebrate people who use drugs, highlight what they are doing to reduce harms, keep themselves and their communities safe, and reduce stigma. Part of changing the conversation was changing the name.
>Click to download the toolkit
November 12 - 18, 2017
National Addictions Awareness Week is an event held in November each year and highlights issues and solutions to help address alcohol- and other drug-related harm. This year, we’re changing the conversation. We know that many of the harms associated with substance use are a direct result of stigma, discrimination and criminalization. Rather than focus on addiction and harms, we want to celebrate people who use drugs, highlight what they are doing to reduce harms, keep themselves and their communities safe, and reduce stigma.
Attend an event or organize one of your own.
>Download the event planning kit
Overdose Awareness Day
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held on August 31st each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.
august 31st, 2020
For Overdose Awareness Day 2020 MHRN designed this event planning kit to facilitate outdoor naloxone training, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in overdose that it has caused. This kit can be used to plan a standalone event, or an activity at a larger event.
>click here to download planning kit
august 31st, 2019
The MHRN is drawing awareness to the day through a province wide art project. Get involved by participating in activities at any of our provincial sites or plan your own! Attached is an event planning kit, and set of pdf posters to use at your discretion.
>click here to download planning kit
August 31, 2017
Memorial events were held in Winnipeg and Selkirk, two dozen people in Selkirk were trained in overdose prevention, and the Sagkeeng Treatment Centre hosted a letting go ceremony for the community.
