Poll shows 53% of Canadians support harm reduction
A new Canadian public opinion poll commissioned by CATIE shows public support for harm reduction programs outweighs opposition by more than two to one, and half of Canadians want to see more of these services.
Harm reduction programs like needle and syringe programs, naloxone distribution, supervised consumption services and overdose prevention sites were created to support the health of people who use drugs. They prevent HIV and hepatitis C, respond to overdoses and link people to a broad range of treatment and care services.
With more than 50,000 deaths across Canada from apparent opioid toxicity since 2016, harm reduction is needed more urgently than ever. And it doesn’t just save lives; it reduces the burden on our healthcare system by preventing drug poisonings and diverting them from clogged hospital emergency departments and strained emergency responders.
The science is already clear: harm reduction works. But we know that scientific evidence is not the only driver of public policy. No matter how effective public health programs may be, public opinion often determines whether decision-makers will support and fund them.
Previous studies have consistently shown that the majority of Canadians support harm reduction, but more recent media and political debates prompted us to consider whether minds had changed. So, CATIE commissioned Hill & Knowlton to conduct a new poll with 1,500 Canadians to equip policy-makers with the most current public opinion evidence.
Here’s what they found.
53% of Canadians support harm reduction programs (vs. 19% opposed)
Support for harm reduction outweighs opposition in every province
52% think governments should expand funding for harm reduction programs and services
Half of Canadians want harm reduction services in their neighbourhoods (vs. 24% opposed)
Study after study and poll after poll keep telling us the same thing: the majority of Canadians support harm reduction.
Public opinion should not be the only factor in evidence-informed decision-making, but this poll sends a reassuring message to the policy-makers who continue to support harm reduction, and to the service providers on the front lines: the majority of Canadians understand what you are doing, and they support you.
But it also leaves a question for us to consider: why are the voices of the 53% of Canadians who support harm reduction so frequently drowned out in public policy debates?
Methodology
The survey was conducted by Hill & Knowlton on behalf of CATIE. A total of 1,500 residents of Canada aged 18 or older were surveyed online between March 12 and March 14, 2025. The sample consisted of randomly selected members of Leger’s LEO research panel. The data were weighted according to 2021 census population figures to ensure the sample was representative of Canada’s population based on age, gender, and region of Canada. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of the same size yields a margin of error of ±3 per cent, 19 times out of 20. You can view the full survey results here.
Andrew Brett is director of communications at CATIE, Canada’s source for HIV and hepatitis C information. He holds a master of science degree in public health.