Background: Over the past decade, drug-related overdoses have seen a significant rise both in North America and globally. The COVID-19 pandemic has further emphasised the urgent need for safer supply programs to replace unregulated substances, reducing toxicity and overdose risks. Service providers play a crucial role in delivering safer supply initiatives, yet there's limited empirical evidence from their perspective on what constitutes effective safer supply programs. This study delves into the initial implementation and impacts of a safer supply program, capturing insights from an...

Language is a multifaceted tool that not only reflects human thoughts but actively molds them. It functions as both a window and a barrier in human communication, revealing the depths of cultural, historical, and personal beliefs while also defining and sometimes distorting our perceptions. The significance of language becomes particularly evident in the realm of mental health and addiction. The terms we employ in casual conversations or policy documents hold tremendous power – they can uplift or marginalise, clarify or misrepresent.

A journey through the labyrinth of language reveals how...

Overview

This Sharing Session was part one of a two-part series focusing on helping HEAL addiction researchers use language, imagery, and storytelling in respectful ways that engage all stakeholders. 

View the session slides