Client experiences using a new supervised consumption service in Sudbury, Ontario: A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Harm Reduction
• Substance Use Research

Background:

• Opioid-related deaths are significantly higher in northern Ontario communities like Sudbury compared to the provincial average.
• Supervised consumption services (SCS) are implemented to provide a safe environment for people who use drugs (PWUD) and mitigate overdose risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore client experiences with Sudbury's first SCS, 'The Spot', to assess its benefits and identify areas for improvement.
• To evaluate the sustainability of the SCS by demonstrating its value to PWUD and the local community.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study combining surveys, semi-structured interviews with 20 clients, and administrative site utilization data (September 2022 - August 2023).
• Iterative thematic analysis of qualitative data to identify common themes and client suggestions.
• Analysis of administrative data to track service uptake and utilization trends.

Main Results:

• SCS utilization showed a stable increase since the site's opening.
• Clients reported SCS as crucial for overdose prevention, providing a safe consumption space, and reducing public drug use, potentially decreasing stigma.
• Identified challenges included operational policies hindering utilization; suggestions for improvement included adding inhalation services, relocating the site, and extending hours.

Conclusions:

• Sudbury's SCS is valued by clients for its harm reduction functions and positive community impact.
• Client-driven recommendations for service enhancement are essential for optimizing SCS effectiveness in northern and rural settings.
• Demonstrating client benefit and addressing operational challenges are key to ensuring the long-term sustainability of harm reduction services.