Numerous pilot initiatives providing safer supply services lost their federal funding earlier this year, with Ottawa indicating no intention to renew financial assistance. Health Canada initiated support for 31 programs nationwide in 2020, offering prescribed alternative opioids to individuals grappling with addiction.
Canada has faced a devastating overdose crisis for the better part of the last decade, with over 52,000 apparent opioid-related deaths since 2016, with fentanyl contributing to nearly three-quarters of these fatalities. Health Canada warns that just a small amount of fentanyl can be lethal.
Safer supply programs aim to furnish prescribed, safer substitutes for illicit street drugs like fentanyl, addressing concerns about the increasing contamination of illegal opioids with substances like the animal tranquilizer xylazine. The termination of federal funding in March affected the continuation and expansion of such programs, as Health Canada confirmed no plans to reinstate or support new projects involving prescribed alternatives.
Despite the funding setback, the federal government continues to fund various harm-reduction and treatment initiatives. Ottawa Inner City Health’s CEO, Rob Boyd, explained that their prescribed alternative program could sustain existing clients but couldn’t accommodate new ones due to the lack of funding. Boyd stressed the importance of scaling up harm reduction efforts as opposed to scaling back.
Apart from prescribed alternatives, Boyd’s organization also provides access to a range of health services and housing support, underscoring the significance of offering comprehensive care tailored to individual needs.
While the possibility of renewed federal funding remains uncertain, a spokesperson for Health Minister Marjorie Michel highlighted the government’s multifaceted approach to combating the overdose crisis, emphasizing efforts to enhance care access, address local challenges, and combat the trafficking of dangerous drugs.
In Ontario, a recent regulation stipulates that organizations like Ottawa Inner City Health require provincial authorization to apply for federal funding for safer supply programs. The conservative opposition has criticized harm-reduction strategies, advocating for a greater focus on treatment rather than harm reduction measures.
Despite concerns about diversion of prescribed drugs into the street supply, advocates like NDP health critic Gord Johns argue that prescribed alternatives can save lives and urge the government to reconsider funding. Boyd defended the efficacy of prescribed alternative programs, citing positive outcomes reported in their latest evaluation, which indicated a reduction in fentanyl use among clients.
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