The characteristics and experiences of parents accessing prescribed safer supply in BC, 2020—2021

OBJECTIVES: In 2020, British Columbia implemented prescribed safer supply (PSS) to reduce harms associated with the toxic drug supply. Evidence is emerging on these programs; however, no studies to date have focused on exploring the experiences of parents accessing or attempting to access PSS, including differences between parents and non-parents in reported barriers. METHODS: This mixed-methods study involved a secondary analysis of data collected for an evaluation of PSS, informed by an ecological model. We conducted descriptive analysis of barriers to care, using data from a cross-sectional survey with people who had received or were seeking PSS (n = 353), and a thematic analysis of data from interviews with a subset of participants who were parenting children under age 19 (n = 16), focused on exploring parents' experiences of PSS. RESULTS: Among 353 recruited, 31.4% of participants reported having a child under age 19. All participants reported barriers to PSS; however, parents were more likely to report being too busy compared to non-parents (41.4% vs. 25.4%, p = 0.003). Ecological themes describing parents' experiences of PSS reflected: (1) unique interpersonal motivations for accessing PSS, such as to participate in children's lives and protect them from potential harms and (2) parenting-associated policy barriers, including fear of child welfare reports and competing time demands. DISCUSSION: Parents reported unique interpersonal motivations and policy challenges when accessing PSS. These findings highlight the need to address stigmatizing, punitive responses to families experiencing substance use and support approaches that are parent-centered and inclusive of the family across a continuum of care.