Safer opioid supply: qualitative program evaluation

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Addiction Medicine
• Harm Reduction

Background:

• Canada faces an escalating overdose crisis, necessitating innovative interventions.
• Safer Supply programs offer pharmaceutical-grade medications to individuals who use drugs.
• These programs aim to replace illicit drug use and mitigate associated harms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of participants in Safer Supply programs.
• To understand the perceived benefits and challenges of Safer Supply from a participant perspective.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews and surveys were conducted with Safer Supply participants in Ottawa, Canada.
• Interview transcripts underwent thematic analysis.
• Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Main Results:

• Participants frequently reported benefits such as community, connection, hope, and autonomy.
• Concerns included restrictive protocols, insufficient medication supply, and drug diversion.
• The majority of participants viewed Safer Supply as effective for their substance use objectives.

Conclusions:

• Safer Supply programs are perceived as effective and impactful by participants.
• Despite noted concerns, these programs represent a vital harm reduction strategy.
• Safer Supply is crucial for supporting people who use drugs during the ongoing overdose crisis.