Release Date
Geography
Language of Resource
Full Text Available
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Peer Reviewed
Objective
This Health Canada funded project is called “Embedding a Safer Supply Program (SSP) in a Smaller Urban Community” and represents a unique opportunity to pilot Safer Supply in a small city of approximately 80,000 residents. This report discusses the findings of the project evaluation from May 2022 through December 2023.
Findings/Key points
Key findings include:
- High participant retention rate (86%)
- Reduced use of the unregulated drug supply
- Reduced overdose (79% in the last 6 months compared with the 6 months prior to enrollment)
- Reduced stimulant use and reduced injection drug use
- Improved access to primary care
- Improved access to social determinants of health (79%)
Design/methods
Data collection for this report was accomplished through:
1. An electronic medical record (EMR) audit to assess participant demographic data and select health outcomes after enrollment in our SSP.
2. An EMR search of encounter statistics recorded by team members at every participant encounter to illuminate the role of interdisciplinary teams in supporting access to care.
3. Assessment of our statistics recorded on presentations and knowledge transfer and exchange activities.
