The Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) is deeply concerned about the closure of Prairie Harm Reduction in Saskatoon and the risk this decision poses to patient safety, as well as the impact this decision will have on our strained health care system.  

From an addictions medicine and public health perspective, supervised harm reduction saves lives. Evidence shows that these services reduce overdose deaths, prevent the spread of disease, and support people in accessing treatment, primary care, and social supports. When these services are removed, people do not stop using substances. Instead, the risk of overdose, infection, and death increases. 

Physicians working in emergency departments, primary care, and addictions medicine are already seeing unprecedented levels of drug toxicity and overdose across Saskatchewan. The loss of a harm reduction site in Saskatoon will place additional pressure on our health care system and ultimately results in more deaths. 

“As physicians, our primary responsibility is to protect the health and lives of our patients,” said Dr. Pamela Arnold, President of the Saskatchewan Medical Association. “Harm reduction services are a proven medical intervention. When access to these services is reduced, more people experience fatal overdoses and more patients arrive at emergency departments in crisis. This increases and pressure on paramedic services and hospitals and directly affects access to care for everyone.” 

The SMA recognizes that substance use and overdoses are complex issues that require coordinated responses across health care, social services, and communities. Physicians support approaches that are evidence-based, compassionate, and focused on reducing preventable harm while expanding access to treatment and recovery services.