Advancing Safer Supply - Integrating Perspectives for a Comprehensive Harm Reduction Solution

The increasingly unregulated global drug supply has contributed to unprecedented harms, including rising rates of overdose, and death. Safer supply initiatives—programs and policies that provide people who use drugs with regulated, pharmaceutical-grade substances—have emerged as a critical, evidence-based response to these harms. Yet despite their growing importance, safer supply interventions remain under-researched and unevenly implemented, and many aspects of their impact remain poorly understood. Lived and living experience continues to be one of the most vital, but underrepresented, sources of knowledge in this field. By integrating clinical, social, legal, and policy perspectives, as well as voices of those directly impacted, this Research Topic aims to advance scientific understanding of safer supply as an essential strategy in harm reduction, health equity, and public health.The key goals of this Research Topic are to 1) evaluate and compare existing safer supply programs and models worldwide, 2) explore novel substances, drug checking technologies, and emerging harm reduction practices, 3) highlight the experiences and perspectives of people with lived or living experience of substance use and safer supply, and 4) examine the legal, political, and environmental-related dimensions of drug supply and policy.We welcome contributions on the following (but not limited to) sub-themes:- Evaluation of existing safer supply models - Papers on regulated drug supply across regions and cultures.- Drug checking technologies and their role in enhancing safety and reducing harms.- Perspective and opinion articles from individuals with lived or living experience.- Legal, policy, and criminal justice perspectives on safe supply initiatives.- Climate- and environment-related impacts on unregulated and regulated drug supply chains.- Equity-focused approaches to safe supply, including marginalized and underserved populations.- Ethical, social, and health systems considerations in implementing safe supply programs. Topic editors: Jenna L Butner, Yasser Khazaal Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/75920/advancing-safer-supply---integrating-perspectives-for-a-comprehensive-harm-reduction-solution