Direction 180

Direction 180 Direction 180 is a community-based, Op**te treatment program providing service to people in Halifax Regional Municipality since 2001. This is simply not true.

The first of its kind in Atlantic Canada, Direction 180 opened it's doors in February of 2001 and now serves over 200 clients. During hours of operation, clients may come to the clinic in order to obtain their physician prescribed methadone along with any other medications they may have been prescribed. The clinic allows access to physicians, psychiatrists, social workers, case workers and registered nurses for clients in order to attend to their health care needs. A common misconception with regards to methadone therapy is that clients obtain a 'high' from their dose. Patients maintained on methadone treatment are prescribed the proper dosage from a physician that will ensure they do not suffer from the ill effects of withdrawl symptoms; this dosage also ensures they will not obtain a 'high'. Clients maintained on methadone are able to function in their day to day lives and obtain employment, care for their families and engage in healthy relationships. The clients whom are served by Direction 180 truly value the service offered at the clinic and hope to spread this message to the community; Direction 180 within the community is a blessing and far from a curse. The following are some quotes obtained from clients through one-on-one interviews regarding their feelings towards the clinic;

When asked, how do you feel your life would differ if Direction 180 were not available to you?

'Direction 180 saved my life; before I came here, I was going nowhere fast. Now, my life has a purpose and I finally believe in myself'

'Direction 180 has completely changed my life and without it, I don't think I would be sitting here talking to you today'

'My life would be completely awful without Direction 180, I truthfully don't even want to imagine it'

When asked, How do you feel the community would differ if Direction 180 was not a part of it?

'Without Direction 180, I have no doubt in my mind the crime rate would increase, the number of drug dens would increase and the number of deaths would increase'

'I think if we were to lose the services offered here, the junkies would increase and the number of businesses would decrease. Actually, I know that would happen'

'I feel the entire community would decline. Direction 180 offers so much for so many people, we're all so happy to have it here'

What do you feel is the most misunderstood aspect of Direction 180 and its services?

'A lot of people think that methadone is just free drugs for us. It's not even close to that. It's hope, it allows us to live our lives, it allows us to change for the better'

'People want us to go but people often forget that addiction doesn't care who you are. It can strike anyone. So who is to say your own loved one won't ever need the services provided here at Direction 180? You never really know whose life will need saving'

'So many people think that the poeple who come to Direction 180 are horrible people. They glare at us in the streets. Nobody understands how much it would mean if somebody were even to say 'hello' if they saw a client on the street rather than the same cruel treatment most of us have been used to our entire lives'

02/24/2026

🚨 Direction 180 and Refix will remain closed today due to the weather🚨

02/10/2026

To celebrate African Heritage Month, five members of the Dalhousie community were honoured for their outstanding commitment to African Nova Scotian, Black, and African Diaspora culture across campus and through various external communities.

Meet the recipients: https://ow.ly/ypXJ50YcgBw

01/26/2026

🚨 Direction 180 and Refix are closed today due to the weather 🚨

01/23/2026
01/19/2026

🚨Direction 180 and ReFix are closed today due to no power 🚨

11/13/2025

Unverified , November 13, 2025: A fatality related to fake Dilaudid pills.

We have received a report from a community source regarding a fatal overdose and awareness of a lot of fake Dilaudid pills in the drug supply in the region between Enfield and Shubenacadie in Nova Scotia.

Counterfeit pharmaceutical pills are in Nova Scotia:

• Counterfeit pills (fake or ‘pressed pills’) are potentially harmful - they are made to look identical to prescription pills, but they contain unexpected drugs and fillers
• Counterfeit hydromorphone tablets (D8s, ‘dillies’) may contain drugs like fentanyl, nitazenes, benzos or vet tranquilizers like xylazine or medetomidine.
• Fentanyl test strips only detect fentanyl – they do not detect nitazenes, hydromophone or other opioids.
• Naloxone will reverse an opioid overdose but not it won't reverse a benzo or tranq toxicity. CALL 911 and use naloxone – it won’t hurt someone and could save their life if it’s an opioid overdose.

It can be hard to tell if a pill is real or fake. Assume all drugs from the internet or street supply are fake and could be stronger than you expect.

Prepare for the unexpected:

✔ Use with a friend or call NORS (virtual spotting) 1-888-688-NORS – they'll stay on the phone with you and get you help if needed. Go to an Overdose Prevention Site:

• ReFIX Halifax: 2151 Gottingen St. (902-209-9370)
• PeerSix Sydney: 75 Prince St. (902-567-1766)

✔ Start low and go slow. Start with a small amount and see how your body reacts.

✔ Avoid mixing drugs – Combining opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol greatly increases the risk of overdose and death.

✔ Have naloxone ready – Naloxone can help with opioid overdoses, but it will NOT work on other substances, such as benzodiazepines. Even if you're unsure what substance caused an overdose, always give naloxone—it won’t harm the person, but it may help if opioids are involved.

🆘 If someone overdoses:

• Call 911 immediately – Tell them someone is unresponsive.
• Give naloxone if you have it. More than one dose may be needed if high potency opioids are involved. If there are no opioids, naloxone will be ineffective but will not cause harm – give it anyway.
• Stay with them and make sure they can breathe.
• If they stop breathing, perform CPR until help arrives.

You can get naloxone for free at most pharmacies and harm reduction programs.

Under the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, you cannot be charged for drug possession if you call 911 to help someone overdosing. Do not be afraid to call for help.

Looking for help? You can contact:

• Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line – 1-888-429-8167
• Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868; Text CONNECT to 686868
• Mental Health and Addictions Intake Service - (Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30; Tues and Thurs until 8 pm) - 1-855-922-1122
• 211 Nova Scotia - information and referrals to community and social services: Call 2-1-1 or 1-855-466-4994; Email: help@ns.211.ca

10/28/2025

Join us at The Hub for Hobby Day. This Wednesday from 10am - 12pm we'll be making and enjoying French toast 🍞 All supplies provided. We hope to see you there ☺️

Address: 101 - 5506 Cunard St. Halifax.

Please know your health card number and expiry date 🧛‍♀️🧛‍♂️
10/28/2025

Please know your health card number and expiry date 🧛‍♀️🧛‍♂️

10/10/2025

Meet Rita Joe: a “Gentle Warrior” whose poetry spoke truth, healing, and hope. Through her words, she reminded us of the importance of telling our own stories and passing them to the next generation.

“My greatest wish is that there will be more writing from my people, and that our children will read it. I have said again and again that our history would be different if it had been expressed by us.” - Rita Joe

Rita Joe was considered to be the Poet Laureate of the Mi’kmaq People. Born in 1932 in Whycocomagh, Nova Scotia, Rita Joe’s poetry focused on, explored, and celebrated her Mi’kmaq identity. She wrote seven collections of creative work, some of which also spoke to her time at the Shubenacadie Residential School and her experiences afterward in reclaiming her language and culture.

Nicknamed as “The Gentle Warrior”, Rita Joe was known for her spirit of openness, resilience, and peace. Over the decades, Rita Joe received a number of awards and honorary doctorates for her work, gaining national and international recognition for the power of her poetry.

Her legacy lives on through her influence on Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, as well as in her importance to Mi’kmaw storytellers of many different mediums.

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For Mi’kmaq History Month, we’re highlighting Mi’kmaw storytellers who have shaped and strengthened our culture. Follow along to learn about them and tell us about your favourite storytellers in the comments below!

10/10/2025
09/30/2025

Truth and Reconciliation Day is a moment to reflect on a painful history and the resilience of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Residential schools forcibly removed generations of Indigenous children from their families, often erasing language, culture, and identity.

The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA), finalized in 2006, was the result of decades of advocacy and legal action. It involved approximately 86,000 Indigenous peoples who had been enrolled as children in these schools. Survivors didn’t just receive compensation—they fought for their stories to be heard and for the truth to be documented.

The IRSSA also led to the creation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which collected survivors’ testimonies and works to educate all Canadians about the lasting impacts of residential schools.
Truth and Reconciliation Day is an opportunity to learn, listen, and reflect on the ongoing work of reconciliation—honoring the past while committing to meaningful action alongside Indigenous communities.

For more information, visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

Pictured: Nora Bernard (1935–2007)

Nora Bernard, a Mi’kmaq survivor of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School, fought tirelessly for justice. In 1995, she launched the first class-action lawsuit on behalf of survivors, leading to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA)—Canada’s largest class-action settlement.

Known for her courage, kindness, and determination, Nora spent twelve years ensuring survivors’ stories were heard and recognized. She passed away having seen her vision realized, leaving a lasting legacy of advocacy and resilience.

09/16/2025

Day of Caring is happening today! Reps from Vital Statistics, Service Canada, Opportunities and Social Development, and CRA are here to support your needs. Drop in to get your photo ID, birth certificate, taxes filed, or talk to someone about Disability or Income Assistance, and register for a SIN or the Canada Dental Care Plan. Open today until 1pm.

Address

2151 Gottingen Street
Halifax, NS
B3K3B5

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 12pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 12pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 12pm
Thursday 8:30am - 12pm
Friday 8:30am - 12pm
Saturday 8:30am - 12pm
Sunday 8:30am - 12pm

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