Our Values
We Believe
Everyone deserves access to safe, non-judgmental and welcoming medical treatment to begin healing and recovery.
Everyone has potential to improve their situation when they are provided with the right supports.
Treatment for substance use disorder must be unbiased, trauma informed and culturally sensitive, and must include medical, psychological and social aspects.
In alignment with these values, we take a person-centred, trauma informed, harm reductionist, and evidence-based approach.
(To learn more about how we apply these approaches, visit our Social R& D Field Guide).
Person-Centred
Seeing participants as people, rather than their problems or challenges, and supporting their journey towards what recovery means to them. Supporting people to feel empowered over as many aspects of their lives as possible, in order to take steps to where they want to be.
Trauma-Informed
Acknowledging that most participants have experienced some form of trauma in their life, and that the health care system and providers can re-traumatize clients. Awareness of this is embedded into our policies, procedures, and communication styles.
Harm-Reductionist
Prioritising the reduction of negative social and physical consequences of human behaviours. Harm-reduction exists everywhere, from wearing bike helmets, to seat belts, or using condoms. Prohibition of substances, or activities, only makes them more dangerous as they become concentrated and hidden from sight.
Evidence-Based
Delivering medical and social interventions with strong empirical data to support their effectiveness in harm reduction, and contributing to the scientific knowledge base. We engage in research in order to understand how to provide effective, efficient, compassionate healthcare.
Our Impact
705+
participants served at River Stone Recovery Centre
19
knowledge products shared with similar centres across Canada to replicate our model
52%
of 41 iOAT patients reported improvements to their mental health due to the program (October, 2024).
40%
of 42 iOAT patients reported improvements in their physical health due to the program (October, 2024).
To learn more about our journey, visit our Social R&D Field Guide