Supervised consumption services (SCS) can reduce a number of drug-related harms and improve the health of people who use drugs. Research shows that SCS can help prevent overdose-related harms, promote safer drug use practices, minimize risk of blood-borne infection transmission, and promote health and social service access for people who use drugs. However, more research is needed to examine the health impacts of a broader range of services (e.g., SCS that offer supervised inhalation), and to explore their impacts in the current context of an increasingly dangerous drug supply. Learn about supervised consumption services and the Canadian overdose epidemic in more detail, including supporting peer reviewed research.
Citation: Hyshka E, Speed K, Kosteniuk B, Kennedy MC, Jackson L, Scheim A. Evidence brief: Health Impacts. Edmonton: Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse; 2021. 4p. Available from: whyscs.ca