Evaluation of the Harm Reduction Program at Parkdale CHC

Appendix B
Observation Field Notes
Tuesday June 14, Harm Reduction office at Parkdale Community Health Centre
This observation was conducted during the PCHC Needle Exchange opening hours, between 2:30
and 3 pm. The Harm Reduction office is located at the front entrance of the Parkdale Community Health
Centre, before the main foyer. The Harm Reduction office had been open for half an hour but no clients
had yet come in.
The HIV/AIDS Harm Reduction worker was sitting at the computer desk closest to the window,
and the observer was sitting at the work desk in the middle of the office. Infront of the desk was a chair;
behind the work desk was a storage unit of Harm Reduction supplies and two mini-fridges which hold
cold water bottles and snacks. On the desk were pamphlets about Harm Reduction strategies and
community events and notices. There were posters on the wall depicting clean injection practices and
supplies that are useful to have for people who use crack on a regular basis. In the far corner beside the
closet there was a food cart with some snacks on it (crackers, cookies, juice). There were consistent
sounds of people walking past the office door into the rest of the PCHC.
A client (C1) walked into the room approximately 5 minutes after the start of the observation.
C1 was a male in his late 40s with long red hair and a beard. He was wearing a dark t-shirt, flannel long
sleeve over-shirt and dark jeans. When C1 walked into the office he greeted the staff and stood close to
the doorway to the antechamber. He seemed comfortable in the space, and used his hands as he talked.
C1 talked about how his day was going, then sat down in the chair in front of the desk and leaned on the
top of it. He continued to talk about his day, and referred to himself as a “drunk”, while still maintaining
a positive demeanour. He referred to being an injection drug user in the past, but was adamant that he
no longer engaged in this activity, He also browsed the pamphlets on the desktop and asked about
upcoming groups or events at the health centre. When offered a water bottle by the HIV/AIDS Harm
Reduction worker, he accepts and puts it to the side.
At around 2:45pm, there a sound from the antechamber to the office and a person can be seen
in the bubble mirror sitting down at the phone. It is hard to tell who this person is and they do not come
into the office to acknowledge the staff. They can be heard talking low into the phone, hanging up and
dialling again. The HIV/AIDS Harm Reduction worker restocks the water in the mini-fridge behind the
desk.
At approximately 2:50pm another client walks into the office. This client (C2) is a short male
who is unshaven and wearing a baseball hat, light jacket, t-shirt and jean shorts. He greets the staff and
claps C1 on the shoulder with his hand. It was obvious that they knew each other and were comfortable
sharing the same space. C1 gets stands up out of the chair and asks for another water bottle. He says
goodbye to the staff (“bye girls”) and C2 and then leaves the office. C2 was eager to talk to the HIV/AIDS
Harm Reduction worker and sits in the chair. He asks for water and grabs a snack from the cart beside
him, then requests some paper and pen to joint down some notes. He was intoxicated, but was able to
communicate and maintain a conversation.
Another client walked into the office quietly, but seems anxious and in a hurry, This client (C3)
was a younger male wearing a black t-shirt and baggy jeans, and he pointed to the pre-packaged harm
reduction supply kits, asking for 1 inhalation kit and 1injection kit. He wanted them in a brown bag and
left before the staff could ask for his information. C2 continued to chat to the HIV/AIDS Harm Reduction
worker.