Clarifying ‘safer supply’ to enrich policy discussions

Addressing the ambiguity surrounding safer supply is not simply an academic exercise. We are concerned that conflating prescription models with some of these other approaches—about which we are not offering judgments—could create barriers to piloting and evaluating new interventions.

It is critical that decision-makers innovate, especially when it comes to reducing harms related to drug consumption. Some of these ideas will be controversial, but that does not mean they should not be discussed. Being specific about the intervention, instead of using slogans such as safer supply, could make these conversations more productive.