Understanding the impact and potential of safe consumption practices through the perspectives of people who use drugs, front-line workers, and providers: A qualitative inquiry about the future of harm reduction in New Brunswick

Abstract

New Brunswick lacks the harm reduction-based resources needed to combat growing substance use disorder rates and opioid-related deaths. This research investigates how people who use drugs (PWUD), front-line workers (FLW), and service-providers are impacted by limited provincial safe consumption approaches like safe injection sites. Autoethnographic interviews centre participant’s voices at the fore-front of this thesis to determine how their mental and physical well-being are impacted by current services. Interviews also investigate how participant’s needs could be better met, and how harm reduction resources are often hindered by public and structural stigma and discrimination.

Interviews coded using reflexive thematic analysis show that interviewees experienced stigma, burnout, and trauma. PWUD felt stigmatized for their drug use, FLW felt stigmatized for working with PWUD, and providers faced discrimination for supporting safe consumption. Support for harm reduction exists, but the potential to fully embrace safe consumption remains tied to overcoming stigma and discrimination.