Editing Harm reduction (section)

===Safer supply===
'''Safer supply''' programs prescribe medications (including stimulants, opioids, and benzodiazepines) to people at high risk of overdose. This is meant to provide a safer alternative to an illegal drug supply that contains high levels of [[fentanyl]] and other dangerous chemicals.<ref name="canada">{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Health |date=22 July 2021 |title=Safer supply: Prescribed medications as a safer alternative to toxic illegal drugs |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/opioids/responding-canada-opioid-crisis/safer-supply.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119152307/https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/opioids/responding-canada-opioid-crisis/safer-supply.html |archive-date=19 January 2024 |access-date=9 June 2023 |website=canada.ca}}</ref> The structure of such programs is more flexible than [[opioid agonist therapy]].<ref name="canada" /> The drugs dispensed by these programs can result in [[Substance intoxication|intoxication]], unlike [[methadone]] or [[buprenorphine]].<ref name="joseph">{{Cite web |last=Joseph |first=Andrew |date=21 September 2022 |title='This program's really saved us': As Canada offers safer opioids to curb overdoses, will U.S. follow? |url=https://www.statnews.com/2022/09/21/canada-giving-out-safer-opioids-to-stem-overdoses-will-u-s-follow/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609231007/https://www.statnews.com/2022/09/21/canada-giving-out-safer-opioids-to-stem-overdoses-will-u-s-follow/ |archive-date=9 June 2023 |access-date=9 June 2023}}</ref> Safer supply projects exist in a number of Canadian cities.<ref name="canada-map" /> Critics of these programs point to the risk of [[drug diversion]] and argue that patients should be encouraged to enter [[drug rehabilitation]] programs instead of being given drugs.<ref name="joseph" />