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Safer supply programs: Discussions on medication diversion, sharing, and selling.
Marlene Haines1, Emily Hill2, Patrick O'Byrne1
1University of Ottawa, School of Nursing, 200 Lees Ave, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1S 5S9.
The International Journal on Drug Policy
|February 6, 2025
Summary
Medication diversion in safer supply programs is driven by the need for safety, compassion, and survival among people who use drugs. These actions aim to protect and support their community.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Canada faces a severe drug poisoning crisis, with nearly 50,000 deaths.
- Safer supply pilot programs were established to mitigate this crisis.
- Concerns and discussions regarding medication diversion have increased since program implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate medication diversion within safer supply programs.
- To understand participant perspectives on diversion.
Main Methods:
- Recruited participants from safer supply programs in Ottawa, Canada.
- Conducted semi-structured interviews and surveys.
- Analyzed interview transcripts thematically and survey data using descriptive statistics.
Main Results:
- Seven key themes emerged regarding medication diversion: context of drug use, safety, compassion, meeting needs, survival, coercion, and protecting youth.
- Participant interviews revealed underlying reasons for diversion.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the 'why' behind medication diversion is crucial.
- Factors like safety, compassion, meeting needs, survival, and coercion significantly influence diversion.
- Medication diversion is a community-care measure by people who use drugs for their underserved populations.
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