While much discussion surrounding safe supply (SS) focuses on outcomes of clinical models such as reduced overdose death or increased connections with healthcare supports, less consideration has been given to the need for drug user participation in such programs. This presentation explores desired models of safe supply centred around the concept of drug user participation.
This presentation uses data from Imagine Safe Supply, a community-driven study which explored perceptions of drug users and FLW about participation in safe supply. This study conducted 33 semi-structured interviews, collected remotely in early 2021, with drug users and FLW in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. Imagine Safe Supply featured the leadership of a committee of community members with lived expertise of drug use and frontline work who contributed to the design and completion of all research activities.
Results focus on descriptions of participation in existing clinical SS models, as well as the levels of participation associated with desired models of SS. Many participants perceived existing clinical models to be dehumanising and disempowering. In contrast, participants desired models with robust drug user participation, which they perceived as comfortable, trustworthy, non-judgmental and a source of community-building.
Results indicate a wider range of possible models of SS than usually acknowledged. The participation of drug users in SS models was seen as essential to overcoming barriers and optimising programs towards drug users’ goals. This presentation encourages drug user participation as a key input metric in future design and evaluation of SS programs.