Perceived impacts of North Americas first de-medicalised safer supply program

Background
A non-medicalized safer supply model called a “Compassion Club” has recently been evaluated. The model involved providing rigorously tested and accurately labeled illicit substances to members at cost. Operating for 14 months in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, the initiative aimed to explore the effects and feasibility of this approach among individuals at risk of fatal overdose.

Methods
At the one-year mark, 43 club members completed a survey for this cross-sectional analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the perceived impact of membership on factors like drug use patterns, financial stability, housing, and well-being.

Results
Participants reported benefits from membership, including reduced drug use (64.3%), decreased reliance on illicit markets (86.7%), lower overdose risk (90%), and increased use of sterile equipment (84.6%). Mental health (74.2%), physical health (63.3%), and overall well-being (70%) also improved. Suggestions for improvement included extended hours, more substances, and better accessibility.

Conclusion
The reductions in drug use show the potential benefits of this program. Compassion Clubs offer a unique approach to reducing overdose risks and improving the well-being of drug users. These findings support further research to refine non-medicalized safer supply models as part of overdose prevention strategies.