Community Work

Constructive Relationships

Cactus’ community approach is based on strategies that favor the optimization of its interventions through the creation and the long term support of productive partnerships with the various representatives of the network and the community.

This work encompasses mainly three types of actions:

Training / development of awareness. This consists in contacting schools and community institutions and providing training to explain Cactus’ interventions. Thanks to these sessions, students or caregivers set aside their prejudices and develop a better understanding and a genuine interest regarding the reality of intravenous drug users (IDUs). Training sessions deal with issues such as: HIV-AIDS, hepatitises, sexually – or through the blood – transmitted infections, harm reduction, substances and their effects, Cactus Montréal’s operating approach and its projects as well as the clientele it reaches (its characteristics and its needs) and any other pertinent subject.

Representation develops and maintains partnerships with public, private and community organizations while ensuring the continuation of a dialogue and favoring exchanges between Cactus, residents, business owners and other concerned parties.

Communication draws on various strategies to ensure exchanges and the dissemination of information within the various work teams themselves as well as to the groups or institutions forming the service network.