Factors Influencing Attitudes Towards Safer Supply Programs for People Who Use Drugs: Findings From an Atlantic Canadian Province

Original research
by
Thornton, Adrienne N. et al

Release Date

2023

Geography

Canada

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

Public attitudes, and factors that influence attitudes towards safer supply programs (SSPs) must be considered as they impact policy and funding decisions.

Findings/Key points

The majority of the sample was supportive of SSPs (n = 316, 82.3%). Being of European origin, a younger age, identifying as female, displaying higher levels of Openness to Experience, and reporting less stigma towards people who use drugs were predictive of more positive attitudes towards SSPs. Openness to Experience mediated the relationship between stigma levels and attitudes towards SSPs. The findings of the current study suggest that when developing public awareness campaigns, considering the impact of demographic and psychological factors is important.

Design/methods

Online survey (n=384)

Keywords

Safer supply
Policy/Regulatory
Stigma