Research Spotlight!
Ali, F., et al. 2025. ‘I won’t make it without this program’: the impact of safer opioid supply program closures in Ontario. Harm Reduction Journal.
This study explores the experiences of SOS program clients and the anticipated impacts of these program closures on their lives. Interviews were conducted with clients from 6 SOS programs across Ontario to learn about their experiences with the programs, the anticipated impacts of program closures, and strategies to mitigate risks. This study highlights participants’ concerns that SOS program closures may force them back into an increasingly dangerous unregulated market, ultimately putting their lives at risk, along with reversing the many benefits SOS programs provided, such as connections to essential health and social services. By replacing harm reduction programs with treatment services, the government is not reducing the demand for opioid use; instead, it forces a return to the unregulated drug market, ultimately putting individuals at risk of overdose.
JOIN US Oct 23rd at 12 pm ET for a webinar to discuss this paper with some of the authors. Register here.
Guta, et al. 2025. “From an HCV and HIV point of view, it's been remarkable”: A qualitative study about using prescribed safer supply to support people who use drugs along the HIV and HCV prevention and treatment cascades in Ontario, Canada Journal of International AIDS Society.
Despite advances in HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment, people who use drugs (PWUD) face significant barriers along prevention and treatment cascades. Safer supply programs (SSPs) providing prescribed pharmaceutical alternatives to the unregulated drug supply may create opportunities for enhanced healthcare engagement and person-centred care. Interviews were conducted with 52 patients and 21 providers to learn about experiences with safer supply and HIV/HCV Care. Findings suggest that SSPs may improve HIV/HCV care delivery for PWUD by building services around their priorities and lived realities. The integration of safer supply with HIV/HCV care through daily dispensing and wraparound services showed promise for engaging people previously disconnected from care. While findings suggested improved treatment outcomes, limitations included data collection during COVID-19, limited representation of some populations and a focus on opioid-only programs. Research examining long-term outcomes and program sustainability is needed as SSPs face growing scrutiny and closure in Canada
Call for Papers
Progress on reducing opioid-related harms - BMC Public Health - deadline: Nov. 19th, 2025.
Recent Publications
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Haukland, V. 2025. Beyond a spoiled identity: Destigmatization through everyday interactions in heroin-assisted treatment
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Smith, PS. 2025. Reframing Cannabis in Social Work and Public Health: From Prohibition to Equity
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Pipalia, H. 2025. Bridging the Gap: Integrating Mental Health and Substance Use Services into HIV Prevention for High-Risk Populations
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Olagunju, et al. 2026. Climate change and psychiatric disability
Li, Lee, Kannan. 2025. Simultaneous Analysis of Stimulants, Opioids, Gabapentin, Xylazine, Benzodiazepines, Cannabinoids, and Novel Stimulants/Hallucinogens in Human Urine
Dutton, et al. 2025. Harm reduction practises for users of psychedelic drugs: a scoping review
