Our Services
Sharp Advice Needle Exchange (S.A.N.E.)
Monday to Friday 9:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 - 8:00. *NEW* Weekends 10:00a to 4:00p
Phone: 902-539-5556
S.A.N.E. provides safe injection equipment (clean needles, alcohol swabs, filters, ties) and sharps containers for safe disposal of used needles to Cape Bretoners in need. The needle exchange also provides outreach services, as required.
The Needle Exchange is an important preventative program which exists to provide clean needles and syringes for injection drug users. A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal in August 1997 provided over 14,000 clean syringes to 275 drug users. The study concluded that providing sterile needles is an inexpensive means of preventing greater health-care costs. The authors of the study estimated the program prevented 24 new HIV infections over five years. This equals huge savings for the health system as the study estimates that the cost of treating HIV and AIDS over a person’s lifetime could total $1.3 million.
Watch for the our Peer Backpackers in Sydney, New Waterford, Glace Bay, North Sydney and Sydney Mines. They will be out there cleaning up your streets of improperly discarded needles and handing out safe supplies during peek times throughout each month.
Anonymous Testing
Monday, Thursday & Friday 9:00a to 12:30p
Anonymous HIV Testing and Testing for HCV, HBV and other STIs available. Anonymous testing is also available at the offices in Antigonish and Port Hawkesbury by appointment.
Peer Six Overdose Prevention
Monday to Friday 9:00a to 8:00p *NEW* Weekends 10:00a to 4:00p
Peer Six is a project of the Ally Centre of Cape Breton. The site offers a safe, supportive and comfortable space to inject, snort or ingest substances without fear of overdosing, contracting illness or arrest.
Mobile Supportive Spaces
Monday to Friday 10:00a to 4:00p
Phone: 902-217-3424
Look for the Ally Centre van in your town! The coffee pot is always on! Offering support services, referrals, safe supplies, naloxone training and naloxone kits and access to technology, the street nurse and housing support. Jump on board and meet the friendly staff.
- Monday – New Waterford (across from the Legion on Plummer Avenue)
- Tuesday – Sydney Mines (in front of CCYO, or in the Holy Family parking lot)
- Wednesday – Glace Bay (next to ORP)
- Thursday Morning – Sydney (behind Giant Tiger)
Thursday Afternoon – Membertou (Belly Busters parking lot) - Friday – North Sydney (corner of Commercial & Blowers Streets)
Hep C/HIV Support
Encouraging testing, treatment and support. Peer counselling is available for people living with HIV or Hepatitis C. As well, treatment information, emotional support and a collection of resources is available for people living with HIV or Hepatitis C and their family and friends.
Health Services
Health Clinic
The Ally Centre of Cape Breton provides primary health care services for people from vulnerable populations. The population the Ally Center serves are often referred to as marginalized, excluded or vulnerable. They are typically those people who have faced prolonged difficulties with all or some of the following: poverty, homelessness, mental illness, substance use disorder, social isolation, unemployment, conflicts with the law.This also includes people living with stigmatized illnesses such as HIV, HCV, women escaping domestic violence, sex trade workers and people from the LGBTQ community; we embrace both youth and adults in all situations.
The Ally Health Clinic reduces barriers to care by providing primary health services in a non-judgemental and caring environment.
With support of NS Health, the Ally Clinic has two part time physicians, one part time nurse practitioner who offer clinics on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our full time social worker, Jillian, is available Monday to Friday by appointment and for some walk in appointments as well.
To learn more or book an appointment for a health clinic service please call our office administrator, Diane, at 902-567-0178
Health Clinic Personnel
| Sharon MacKenzie RN Health Services Manager Ally Center 902-577-0140 or 902-578-0178 |
Dr. Monika Dutt Primary Care Physician Ally Health Clinic 902-567-0178 |
| Avery Tremblett Outreach Street Health Nurse Ally Health Clinic 902-567-0178 |
Sarah Wilson Nurse Practitioner Ally Health Clinic 902-567-0178 |
| Jillian Roach BSW RSW Social Worker Ally Health Clinic 902-574-4124 or 902-578-0178 |
Joanne Boudreau Anonymous and Confidential Testing Nurse Ally Health Clinic 902-567-1123 or 902-578-0178 |
| Janet Kuhnke Wound Care and Foot Care Nurse Ally Health Clinic 902-567-0178 |
Jill Gardiner Manager & Intake, Managed Alcohol Program Ally Health Clinic 902-577-4063 |
Outreach Street Health
The Ally Center has and Outreach Street Health pilot program that began in October of 2020. It has been hugely successful and has been extended until April 2022. The service is adapted from the MOSH street health model operated through the North End Health Clinic in the HRM.
An experience registered nurse is on the street and present through the Ally mobile supportive van in communities around the CBRM, reaching out to vulnerable populations who are least likely to reach out themselves for primary care and treatment. Basic primary care needs are being met along and linkages to care providers at the Ally Clinic and other health and social services. Our street health nurse, Sharon MacKenzie can be reached at 902-577-0140 or email Sharon MacKenzie
Wound & Foot Care
Access to wound and care is important. We have a Wound & Foot Care Nurse on-staff. Call Janet Kuhnke at the Health Clinic to book a space: 902-567-0178
Other Support Services
Housing Support
Monday to Friday 9:00a to 4:00p
Our Housing Support Worker, Kandice Duprey is a member of the Housing First team and can do intake and referrals to the Housing First Program. Kandice is onsite at the Ally Centre or on the Ally Mobile Unit.
S.W.E.E.P. (Sex Workers Encouraging and Empowering Their Peers)
Saturday & Sunday 4:00p to 7:00p
Offering a safe, supportive space for Sex Workers to feel connected, to get in out of the weather, grab a snack, access technology and safe supplies. For more information call 902-567-1766.
Food Bank
Every Second Friday from 10:00a to 12:00p & 1:00p to 3:00p
The Ally Centre of Cape Breton has a small food bank that can service clients of the centre only.
Drop-In
Monday to Friday 9:00a to 5:00p & 5:00p to 8:00p
ACCB prides itself in being a safe space for all individuals. We operate a drop-in centre Monday to Friday from 10 - 12 and 2 - 4 pm . We offer food & snacks, coffee is always on, and staff are present to offer support, answer questions, make referrals or just a good chat!
Phone and internet access is also available. Free clothing and household items are available occasionally.
