New article from @kendracrighton about our program! Check out this thread for some highlights.

https://www.vicnews.com/news/unhoused-community-in-greater-victoria-struggles-to-access-safe-supply/

#ThatsSAFER @AVIVanIsle @OutreachSolid

“ …for those who are left outside, accessing a #safesupply isn’t easy. Cue @SaferVic. This team of nurses, outreach workers with lived experience, physicians & a systems navigator are working full-time to provide people sheltering in Victoria parks the medications they need.”

We’re stoked that SAFER Outreach Worker, Jaclyn, was highlighted in this article because she is a force of nature & “...spends most of her time in the community…handing out harm reduction supplies & building a bridge of trust.”

Jaclyn’s role is invaluable: “I’ve been at a shelter before. I’ve been on the streets. I know what they’re going through & I can relate…& be like, ‘hey, this person is trustworthy, I’m working with them & you know me from the community.” Plus, check out her Halloween spirit!

Many folks we’re working with are unhoused & at increased risk of #overdose. “Every time a person gets displaced, it increases their risk of overdosing because outreach workers & street nurses have a harder time finding them.” - one of our SAFER Nurses, @CoreyRanger

“A UN Special Report on the right to housing states that no homeless person should be displaced if it’s going to lead to an exacerbation of #homelessness – “but that’s exactly what’s been happening over the last six months” - @CoreyRanger #VictoriaBC #YYJ @CityOfVictoria

SAFER Nurse @CoreyRanger & our incredible research & evaluation partner, @BerniePauly, continue to draw attention and call for action around to these deadly health inequities. Their latest comment: https://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/op-ed/comment-having-a-home-is-a-basic-human-right-1.24202005

“When you’re sleeping out in a tent & it’s raining & people are overdosing around you, it’s not really a priority to look into [basic needs]- you’re in survival mode.” - @CoreyRanger

We provide a safer supply of meds to reduce overdose risk & also to reduce harms of homelessness.

“One thing people don’t acknowledge is safe supply is a great entry point for people who need connections to care, people who need to get their blood work done or haven’t seen a doctor in a long time.” @CoreyRanger

SAFER is also engaging in advocacy to "expand overdose mitigation guidelines to include the needs of people who smoke their drugs, which is currently not available through safe supply.”

SAFER's priority: best meet the needs & preferences of people who use drugs. #ThatsSAFER

To address this, a critical element of our project is engagement of people with lived/living experience, not just as staff on our outreach team but also in the ongoing design and development of the service:

“At the start of the project, SAFER ran focus groups & concept mapping exercises with people who are actively using substances." This work continues with our partners: @OutreachSolid, @UVic_CISUR, @CoLab_CISUR

Here's an outdoor focus group set-up with @BerniePauly!

This team has accomplished an incredible amount of work in a short time. We're grateful to support from @GovCanHealth until next Spring! Regionally in @VanIslandHealth & BC overall, Victoria leads in staggering #overdose deaths. There's much more to do & we're ready to do it.

Please keep following along with @SaferVic - we're excited to continue sharing how our flexible, community-based, #harmreduction model of safer supply is working. We know there is so much more to do on the path to drug user liberation. #ThatsSAFER