Safe Supply Resources

Programs that provide safer, pharmaceutical alternatives to the illicit drug supply that has contributed to the overdose crisis that people in North America are experiencing. Despite concerted efforts and some positive progress, current public health, substance use treatment, and harm reduction interventions have not been able to rapidly decrease overdose fatalities. In view of the persistent gaps in services and the limitations of available options, immediate low-barrier opioid distribution programs including "off-label" prescription of pharmaceutical grade opioids (e.g., hydromorphone) can make safer opioids widely available to people at high risk of a fatal overdose.