Browsing by Author "Thornton, Adrienne"

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    An evaluation of the first safer supply program in New Brunswick: The River Stone Recovery Centre
    (University of New Brunswick, 2024-11) Thornton, Adrienne; Brunelle, Caroline
    In response to the opioid poisoning crisis, safer supply programs (SSPs) have been implemented across Canada, and provide individuals access to prescription medications as an alternative to the illicit drug supply. River Stone Recovery Centre’s injectable opioid agonist treatment program is the only SSP currently operating in New Brunswick. Semi-structured interviews were completed with participants (N = 22), and follow-up interviews (N = 18) were conducted six months later, to assess participant’s experiences and outcomes related to their program involvement. Participants reported positive program experiences and impacts, such as improvements in quality of life, that were attributed to the non-stigmatizing care they were receiving, and to the low-threshold, harm reduction approach of the program. The results from this study demonstrate the positive impact of SSPs in reducing the harms associated with the opioid toxicity crisis, but also highlight areas of unmet needs that can inform harm reduction strategies.