Release Date
Geography
Language of Resource
Full Text Available
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Peer Reviewed
Objective
This report presents the findings of a multiyear study which aimed to understand the needs and preferences of people who use drugs from the illegal market and safer supply. To successfully separate people from the illegal supply, consultation with people who use drugs is paramount. These findings can inform policy recommendations for the effective design of safer supply models and programs that will be acceptable, desirable, and accessible to people who use drugs.
Findings/Key points
Includes 13 recommendations based on study findings: expand opioid and stimulant safer supply options to encourage acceptability and access and reduce barriers to current opioid, stimulant, and benzodiazepine safer supply options (Recommendations 1-4); expand safer supply mode of use options to encourage access and make overdose response services more equitable based on preferred mode of drug use (Recommendations 5-7); removing barriers associated with prescribed safer supply and prescriber hesitancy (Recommendations 8-10); improving access to safer supply across BC (Recommendations 11,12,13).
Design/methods
The study comprised two components: the Harm Reduction Client Survey, and interviews and focus groups with people who use drugs. The Harm Reduction Client Survey was administered at harm reduction distribution sites across BC to assess peoples’ patterns of drug use, and peoples’ preferences for safer supply substances and modes of use. Interviews and focus groups were conducted to identify the strengths and challenges with safer supply as currently implemented in BC, and to better understand the preferences and expectations for future models of safer supply.
