Impacts of an Overdose Prevention Service on Reducing Harm

Correctional Service of Canada research evaluates the Overdose Prevention Service (OPS) implemented in June 2019. The program, a first in any correctional jurisdiction, operates at five sites and allows participants to use illicit drugs under nurse observation to prevent fatal and non-fatal overdoses. This evaluation informs policy and program design for addressing the substance use needs of incarcerated people.

Use Cases

• Evaluating the effectiveness of supervised consumption services based on overdose prevention outcomes mentioned in the description.
• Analyzing policy impacts for correctional health programs based on the program's unique status as a first-of-its-kind initiative.
• Studying harm reduction program design based on the multi-site implementation across Canada.

Strengths

• Data originates from the Correctional Service of Canada, an authoritative government source.
• Covers a unique program, described as the only one of its kind in any correctional jurisdiction worldwide.
• Includes five distinct implementation sites across Canada.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic and institutional bias inherent to the Canadian correctional system.

Provenance

Source

Correctional Service of Canada

Collection Method

Program evaluation research.

Time Range

Program began June 2019; evaluation timeframe is unspecified.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06 02 14:32:02.828718; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Five sites across Canada.