“It's just not the same”: Exploring PWUD’ perceptions of and experiences with drug policy and SCS services change in a Canadian City

Original research
par
Greene, Carolyn, Katharina Maier & Marta-Marika Urbanik

Date de publication

2023

Géographie

Canada

Langue de la ressource

English

Texte disponible en version intégrale

Non

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Non

Évalué par des pairs

Yes

L’objectif

The purpose of this study was to explore how shifts in provincial drug policy approaches, specifically the replacement of a Safe Consumption Site (SCS) with a smaller mobile Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) in Lethbridge, Alberta Canada, impacted PWUD’ access to and experiences with harm reduction services.

Constatations/points à retenir

Participants reported regular and frequent access and overall positive experiences with the SCS, despite also noting certain operational barriers (e.g., long wait times). By contrast, participants reported more limited use of the new OPS compared to the SCS because of three main reasons: (1) concerns about location; (2) smoking room elimination; and (3) lack of social space and activities. Overall, changes to SCS provision produced a range of negative consequences for PWUD in Lethbridge. These relate to perceived increases in drug-related harms (e.g., increased overdoses) as well as negative social impacts (e.g., lack of place to meet other people).

La conception ou méthodologie de recherche

Semi-structured interviews with 50 PWUD

Mots clés

Harm reduction
Policy/Regulatory
About PWUD
SCS/OPS
Barriers and enablers