FAQ About the 601

Q. Do I have to pay anything?
A. No, everything is free!

Q. Do I have to have HIV to get in?
A. No. We don’t ask people’s health status – its up to you if you want to talk about whatever ails ya!

Q. Will you kick me out if I’m drunk or high?
A. Nope. Come as you are, just don’t disrespect the people or the space.

Q. Can I take my coffee to go?
A. No. 1 Part of Harm Reduction is to respect the environment as much as possible so we don’t use paper or plastic cups. You’re welcome to fill up your own “go” cup, though!

Q. How come you don’t have donuts anymore?
A. While it was really nice of Robins Donuts to donate their leftovers every day for so many years, and they definitely reduced the harm caused by hunger, once we could offer something more nutritious and sustaining, we did! We are not a soup kitchen or a food bank, but rather use food as an opportunity to socialize, engage, educate and of course, reduce harm.

Q. Do I have to have an appointment to talk to the counselor (support services coordinator) or the drop in coordinator in the 601?
A. No, we don’t do the appointment/intake/case management thing. If they’re not busy, go in and talk to them!

Q. What are the rules in the 601?
A. Harm reduction is all about respect and inclusivity. So we really expect people to use common sense and positive judgment when hanging out at the 601 – staff are there to support and work with people, not be the parents/police/day care workers.

Over time the People Who Access Services and the Staff have determined that the following activities make them feel uncomfortable and/or unsafe:

  • Drug use (including fixing, smoking, pill popping, snorting, drinking)
  • Drug dealing
  • Open display of drugs
  • Fighting
  • Verbal threats; aggressive or threatening actions
  • Hogging the computer or phone
  • Grabbing all the "good" donations or morning fruit
  • Bumming smokes and/or money
  • Trying to "borrow" someone’s daily dose of methadone
  • Stealing
  • Sexual activity
  • Taking the daily newspaper out of the 601 (especially the classifieds)
  • Not keeping a close eye on your own kids
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