Perceived impacts of North Americas first de-medicalized safer supply program.

Background: The Drug User Liberation Front led an evaluation of a non-medicalized model of safer supply known as a "Compassion Club." This club sourced, rigorously tested, packaged, and accurately labeled certain illicit substances and then provided them to club members at cost in order to investigate the effects and feasibility of a non-medical model of safer supply. Operating for 14 months, the club provided low-cost, quality-controlled illicit substances to individuals at risk of fatal overdose in Vancouver, Canada's Downtown Eastside neighbourhood. This study was undertaken to explore perceived impacts of the Compassion Club among its participants, as well as their perceptions regarding how the Club could be improved.

Methods: At the one-year time point of club operations 43 participants from the club's membership completed an interviewer-administered survey which is utilized in this cross sectional analysis. Descriptive statistics were employed to assess the perceived influence of club membership on various factors, including drug use patterns, harm reduction practices, financial outcomes, housing stability, and overall well-being.

Results: Applicable responses reported benefits from membership in the Compassion Club, including reduced drug use (64.3%), decreased reliance on illicit markets (86.7%), lowered risk of overdose (90.0%), and increased likelihood of using sterile equipment (84.6%). Mental health (74.2%), physical health (63.3%), and overall well-being (70.0%) were also noted improvements. Suggestions for club improvement included extended operating hours, broader substance selection, and improved accessibility.

Conclusion: The reported reductions in drug use and improved adherence to harm reduction practices described herein underscore the perceived benefits of this unique program. Compassion Clubs represent a distinct strategy to mitigate overdose risk and enhance the well-being of drug users. These insights advance ongoing dialogues on overdose prevention strategies, urging further research to refine non-medicalized approaches within the evolving landscape of interventions.