Harm reduction programs and policies, “not in my backyard” mentalities, and the Canadian criminal justice system: an exploratory analysis

This project explored harm reduction programs and policies in Canada targeting opioid use, their context in the criminal justice system, and how “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) mentalities affect their implementation. Despite the evidence surrounding the effectiveness of harm reduction programs in reducing opioid-related harms, such as safe consumption sites (SCS), governments and communities are hesitant to implement them. This project used an exploratory sequential integrative literature review for its research design and used symbolic interactionism as the methodological framework. The population of interest in this study is people with living and lived experiences using drugs (PWLLE), especially those using synthetic opioids. Although NIMBY was not mentioned as a barrier specifically in literature, stigma was identified as a significant contributor to the opioid crisis. Stigma as a source of strain seems to drive not only criminal justice contact but also increased health issues in the context of opioid overdoses. Finally, structural factors and the lack of currently available care options for PWLLE were discussed. There are critical geographical considerations for Alberta, including the increasing toxicity of the drug supply due to the presence of “street” fentanyl. Findings from this project include themes of enforcement fatigue, and the lack of deterrence drug laws provide. Despite the immense harms PWLLE encounter, some of which could be reduced with government intervention (i.e., decriminalization, regulated drug supply), there has been little political action in Alberta to date. The lack of action in Alberta and elsewhere perpetuates stigma by signaling that PWLLE are not deserving of government support.