Photo: Facebook / Northreach Society

By Shaun Penner

Free HIV Testing

Northreach offering free HIV testing as part of national campaign

Jun 25, 2019 | 5:30 PM

Free STI testing is being offered today and Wednesday by the Northreach Society, the organization formerly known as HIV North.

The testing is part of the 2nd annual National HIV Testing Day and will be offered at Northreach’s office, located at 9607 102 Street in Grande Prairie, until 8 p.m. on Tuesday and between noon and 8 p.m. Wednesday.

This is the second year in a row that Northreach has offered free testing. This year, though, Harm Reduction Team Lead Amanda Gear says they wanted to reach a larger demographic.

“This year, we decided that we were going to expand the days. So, do the three days as opposed to one,” said Gear. “And also expand hours, because we realized that the lunchtime hour and after work hours, there is a whole demographic that we’re missing, just because people have jobs.”

This year’s theme for the nation-wide campaign is Know Your Status, as a way to shed more light on the need to get tested. According to Northreach, around 65,000 Canadians suffer from HIV, while one in five of those affected are unaware they have the disease. That’s why Gear says it is important for everyone to get tested.

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“Obviously, there is an increased risk for people who use substances, but we are also trying to reduce the stigma and reduce that for people, just average people, to come get tested,” said Gear.

The test takes no more than a couple of minutes and results are provided right on the spot. Free snacks and coffee are offered to anyone who takes part.

You can call the office ahead of time at 780-538-3388 if you would like to book an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome during testing times.

The national day actually falls on June 27, when 70 communities across Canada will be taking part. Northreach will be providing testing on that day to residents of the Parkside Inn in Grande Prairie and is not available to the public.

A full list of testing locations across the country can be found here.