Release Date
Geography
Language of Resource
Full Text Available
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Peer Reviewed
Objective
The objective of this environmental scan is to summarize evidence on the health and social impacts of safer supply programs. This scan will also describe local, provincial/state, national or international examples of safer supply models
Findings/Key points
The jurisdictional scan identified and summarized ten safer supply programs and seven policy/program guidance documents in Canada, providing an overview of some of the current safer supply landscape. Information from these sources on the outcomes of safer supply programs in Canada report the following among participants: low rates of fatal overdose, increased engagement in health care and social supports, improved mental health and sleep patterns, reconnection with family, and an ability to exert control over their drug use. Early evidence from Ontario and British Columbia suggests that prescription-based safer supply may be a viable option for those who do not tolerate, use, or desire available treatments as well as those who use drugs from an unregulated supply in addition to OAT.
Also available in French: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/Documents/S/2022/safer-suppl…
Design/methods
Environmental scan
