Safer Opioid Supply Program

The Safer Opioid Supply (SOS) Program is an extension of the traditional harm reduction model at the Health Centre.

Through this program, physicians prescribe opioids to clients to replace the illicit market of toxic supply they rely on. The program focuses on a client-centered, team-based, and comprehensive approach within a community health centre model of care.

By providing a safer supply to the most marginalized in our community, it reduces the risk of overdose, poisoning, infectious disease transmission, incarceration, and death.

Who can participate in this program?

 This program is offered to high-risk populations who use street level substances. Criteria is determined once the referral form is processed. Individuals will meet with a systems navigator to assess the individual’s circumstances. Individuals must reside in London.

What is expected of the program participants?

 Each client is required to adhere to a set of guidelines in order to participate in the program.

These are outlined during the initial intake and in the Therapeutic Agreement and include:

• Clients will be expected to attend weekly appointments with their doctor, submit weekly urine samples and pick up their medication as directed at their specified pharmacy
• Clients are expected to make positive decisions and actions for their health (HIV treatment, cancer screening, diabetes self-management, etc.)
• Clients will be honest with their doctor regarding drug use outside of their Safer Supply prescription
• Clients will be expected to work with outreach workers, care facilitators, and/or systems navigators on social goals (housing, ODSP, ID, etc.)
• Clients will not sell or otherwise divert their Safer Supply medication. Diversion represents a reason for removal from the Safer Opioid Supply program

How can I refer a person to this program?

 To make a referral, please fill out our referral form below. The referral form can be completed by a provider or by the individual interested in the program. Please note the SOS program is currently full and we will not be taking any new referrals at this time. 

For more information about the SOS program, please contact us at 519-660-0875 ex 1290.

Click here for program details: SOS General Information

Evaluation Purpose & Methodology

The goal of the evaluation was to examine and compare self-reported client outcomes from 2022 and 2023. In both years, clients identified reduced use of drugs from unregulated market, reductions in overdose and increased access to health services since starting safer supply. This report also examines which medications (both opioid and stimulant) that participants would like to be prescribed and their preferred mode of administration for SOS medications.

Prescribed safer opioid supply programs are part of the response to the drug toxicity overdose crisis in Canada. In London, Ontario, the Safer Opioid Supply (SOS) program at the London Intercommunity Health Center (LIHC) aims to reduce some of the health risks associated with drug use and prevent overdose-related deaths by reducing dependence on a toxic, unregulated street supply of opioids that is composed primarily of fentanyl. This is achieved through prescribing safer supply in combination with comprehensive primary healthcare and social services specific to each individual client.

2023 SOS Program – Full Evaluation Report

2022 Evaluation Report

Evaluation Purpose & Methodology

Mixed methods were used to conduct an evaluation of the Safer Opioid Supply program at London Intercommunity Health Centre in 2020-2021. The goal of this evaluation was to examine the scale-up of the SOS program after SUAP funding was received from Health Canada in March 2020, and examine what was working well and what could be improved in the SOS program as part of an ongoing quality improvement and program evaluation plan.  The evaluation plan was developed in consultation with representatives from London Intercommunity Health Centre, including both staff who were responsible for front-line service delivery, clinical staff, and program management. The main priority in the evaluation process was to ensure that the perspectives of clients of the SOS program were highlighted.

Additionally, staff members involved in the delivery of different aspects of front-line services in the SOS program were also engaged. These two groups were specifically prioritized to draw upon the first-hand, experiential knowledge and expertise that they possess, and to have this reflected in the evaluation. Finally, a focus group was also held with people who use drugs who were on the wait list for admission into the SOS program. Their perspectives were included to ensure that questions around barriers to admission and program access were reflected in the report.

2022 SOS Program – Summary Evaluation Report

2021 SOS Program – Full Evaluation Report

The Safer Opioid Supply Program receives financial support from the Government of Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program.