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'
06/17/2026
The Hub is offering support with completing housing related forms and applications on Tuesdays from 10am-12pm, no appointment required. We are located on the corner of Gottingen and Cunard Street in Halifax.
06/16/2026
03/04/2026
Don’t forget to spring forward this weekend! 😊
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
01/23/2026
🚨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: [email protected]
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Category
Website
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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