We have a number of working groups.
Advisory Council
Purpose: Provide direction and feedback to the NSS-CoP Team.
Current activities: Advising on evaluation and internal policies.
Action for Safer Supply - People Who Use Drugs Working Group
Purpose: As a working group composed exclusively of people who use drugs, Action for Safer Supply advocates for expanded access to safer supply for people who use drugs across the country.
Completed activities: Recently, the working group developed and designed the Safer Supply, Opioid Agonist Treatment & Harm Reduction: National Advocacy Toolkit - now available online and for download. They also ran a three-day anti-shame campaign leading up to World AIDS Day 2022 on December 1st called #NoShameNovember30 - learn more here!
Current activities: The working group is currently wrapping up their 2022 activities and are brainstorming plans for new projects in 2023.
Recommendations for Clinical Guidance Working Group
Purpose: Using evidence, existing guidelines, and lived experience, create recommendations for guidance to support safer supply prescribing.
Current activities: 2 subgroups - take home doses, urine drug screens. Creating a survey for prescribers to gather information about current practices and perspectives.
Access to Pharmaceuticals Working Group
Purpose: Clarifying what pharmaceuticals are available in the various regions across Canada, producing a list of what pharmaceuticals should ideally be available for safer supply, and describing how the current system of pharmaceutical approvals works.
Current activities: Creating a list of what pharmaceuticals are currently available (and what is covered) where and creating a list of what is not available and the reasons why.
Program Operations Meeting
Purpose: Connect program administrators/coordinators/managers/service providers to discuss program operations, identify successes and challenges, share information and resources, and provide support.
Current activities: Support for new program development, share resources.
Pharmacy Working Group
Purpose: Connect pharmacy staff to share information about safer supply from a pharmacy perspective. Share experiences and resources, and identify gaps, needs, and areas for advocacy.
Current activities: Identifying resources, gaps, needs, areas for advocacy; sharing resources and experiences.
Clinicians
Are you interested in joining our monthly meeting? Email Rebecca to let us know! rebecca [at] lihc.on.ca.
