LIHC Safer Opioid Supply Program September 2023 Evaluation Report: A Comparison of SOS Client Outcomes from 2022 and 2023: This evaluation reports on client outcomes from the LIHC SOS program using self-reported survey data collected in spring of 2022 and again in spring of 2023 from clients of the SOS program. It is a follow-up to the first SOS program evaluation conducted in 2021. 

Characteristics of Substance-Related Toxicity Deaths in Ontario: Stimulant, opioid, benzodiazepine, and alcohol-related deaths – ODPRN: This joint report by the ODPRN and Public Health Ontario provides an overview on the trends and patterns of single and polysubstance (more than one substance) deaths from alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, and stimulants in Ontario (January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2021). 

Prescribed Safer Supply Protocols: Sufentanil – BCCSU and PHS: These resources provide a standardized protocol for the provision of sufentanil as a way to reduce reliance on the unregulated drug supply and associated harms. This protocol is adapted from PHS Community Services Society’s Sufentanil Policy. 

Prescribed Safer Supply Protocols: Fentanyl Tablet – BCCSU and PHS: These resources provide a standardized protocol for the provision of fentanyl tablets as a way to reduce reliance on the unregulated drug supply and associated harms. This protocol is adapted from PHS Community Services Society’s Fentanyl Tablet Policy. 

MySafe safer opioid supply program using biometric dispensing machines – CATIE Programming Connection: MySafe is a safer opioid supply program for individuals at high risk of overdose from consumption of illegal opioids. It uses secure biometric dispensing machines to provide daily doses of physician-prescribed opioids in the form of hydromorphone tablets. A qualitative study identified participant-reported facilitators, barriers and outcomes. Facilitators included non-witnessed use, ease of access and policies that allowed participants to plan and adapt their use. Barriers included technical issues and issues related to insufficient doses and potency. Outcomes included reduced illegal drug use, decreased overdose risk and improved health and well-being for participants. 

A Public Health Approach to Substance Use Handbook – Canadian Public Health Association: This handbook can be used alone as a self-guided workbook, or in a small group with or without facilitation. It can support self-reflection, community coordination, and the important cross-agency and system-wide conversations about how to widen and improve the response to substance use. It can also inspire respectful and destigmatizing conversations with people who use substances and engage with peer support networks. 

A Guide to Using Extended-Release Buprenorphine (Sublocade®) in Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) - ESCODI: The Équipe de soutien clinique et organisationnel en dépendance et itinérance (ESCODI) in Montréal recently published a guide to using extended-release buprenorphine (Sublocade®) in OAT. The NSS-CoP is pleased to be sharing the English translation of their new publication. Read and download it now!

• Results indicate multifaceted pathways to improved self-reported health and well-being among clients including changes in drug use practices, fewer overdoses, reduced criminalized activity, improved trust and engagement in health care, and increased social stability (e.g., housing).
• Most clients reported that the intervention saved their life because of the reduced frequency of overdoses. Findings suggest that SOS programs improved clients' health outcomes and increase opportunities for engagement in health services.
• Results provide insight into the mechanisms behind some of the emergent evidence on the impact of safer supply prescribing.

• Naloxone kits should be available in nasal spray, injectable version across Canada: panel 
• The Toxic Drug Crisis: An International Perspective 
• More men died of COVID-19 and fatal overdoses in 2021 compared to 2020, driving overall increase in deaths: StatCan 

• The number of people accessing safe supply in B.C. has dropped. It's unclear why — but it's prompting concerns 
• 174 toxic drug deaths reported in August: BC Coroners Service
• How Prescription Heroin Is Saving Lives 
• Henry eyes changes to safe-supply drugs program 
• B.C. health officer urges patience on drug crisis; delegates to vote on resolutions 
• Insite Is Turning 20 
• Trade Workers Deserve the Right Tools to Seek Support on Substance Use 
• Where Municipalities Are at with BC’s Drug Decriminalization Pilot 

• 2023 had highest number of drug-poisoning deaths of any June on record: Alberta Health data
• Monitoring Alberta's wastewater could help drug users avoid harm. Here's how.
• Alberta fentanyl-related deaths up 5,000% in 10 years, study reveals toxicity cause 
• New Alberta study examines drug deaths as testing site opens

• Family who lost 3 members to street drugs calls for safe supply 
• Drug overdoses, COVID-19 drive Sask. life expectancy to lowest level in 22 years 
• Sask. Court of Appeal overturns man's conviction, citing Good Samaritan law 

• Mobile Overdose Prevention Site Loses Funding, At Risk of Closing
• Manitoba Progressive Conservatives pledge millions for First Nations-run drug treatment centre 
• Manitoba PC Candidate Claims NDP Wants to Give Away ‘Free Heroin For Criminals’

• Safer drug supply patients report fewer overdoses, better health 
• Better health, fewer overdoses reported by safe supply users in self-survey 
• Safer Opioid Supply program shows stability in combatting opioid crisis but leaves critics concerned 
• Drug overdose deaths from multiple substances on rise in Ontario since start of pandemic: report 
• An overdose prevention site for inmates is coming to this Ontario prison 
• Ontario paramedics see number of patients rushed to hospital related to opioid use quadruple in decade: study 
• Government of Canada announces more than $1.8 million to help address harms related to substance use in Hamilton, Ontario 
• Staggering mental health, addiction stats push northern First Nations to call for emergency declaration 
• New Guelph hospital pilot program to help those with alcohol, drug poisoning 
• Toronto issued 3 overdose alerts this summer. Advocates are alarmed, but say the trend isn't new 
• Health officials make case for drug use site in Woodstock, but opposition persists

• Yukon reports no opioid deaths in June or July — but experts say that's not the full picture 
• The Government of Yukon highlights 14 initial actions from the Substance Use Health Emergency Strategy

• Face à l’implacable crise des surdoses, l’approvisionnement sécuritaire reste un défi 
• Un nouveau comité pour s’attaquer aux surdoses à T.-N.-L 
• Des surdoses peuvent arriver à « n’importe qui », selon des organismes saskatchewanais 
• De nouvelles machines pour découvrir le contenu des drogues dans les rues d’Ottawa
• Suicide et dépendances : cinq Premières Nations déclarent l’état d’urgence 
• La Santé publique de Montréal ouvre une enquête sur les possibles surdoses 
• Les décès par surdose ont presque doublé en Ontario pendant la pandémie, selon une étude 
• La C.-B. interdit la possession de drogues illicites près des parcs pour enfants 
• « Ma meilleure amie me manque tellement »
• Plus de 1600 surdoses mortelles depuis le début de l’année en Colombie-Britannique

• NL and Labrador issue warnings for fentanyl-tainted drug supply 
• N.B. pursuing legislation that could see drug users subject to involuntary treatment 
• Criticism mounts against N.B. Public Safety minister's plan to force drug users into rehab 
• Lessons from the frontline: Harm reduction and safer supply can return quality of life for drug users 
• Naloxone training for bar owners, staff reaches into Labrador 
• Some advocates saying drug use in Moncton has reached a 'time of crisis'