Junkie or patient? media’s portrayal of opioid harm reduction strategies in Nova Scotia

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dc.contributor.advisor Crocker, Diane
dc.coverage.spatial Nova Scotia
dc.creator Castle, Jessie Ellen
dc.date.accessioned 2023-06-06T13:13:04Z
dc.date.available 2023-06-06T13:13:04Z
dc.date.issued 2023-04-14
dc.identifier.uri http://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/31756
dc.description 1 online resource (54 pages)
dc.description Includes abstract and appendix.
dc.description Includes bibliographical references (pages 45-53).
dc.description.abstract Safe supply programs rolled across Canada amidst two public health emergencies: the opioid crisis and COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier research demonstrated safe supply’s efficacy, but confusing messages rooted in a history of racism, criminalization and stigmatization limited access to this life saving program. Harm reduction interventions reduce mortality and improve health outcomes for people who use substances. Criminalization confuses messages surrounding treatment; creates an unsafe illegal market; and fails to eradicate substance use in Canada. Media plays an influential role in shaping public perceptions. This study describes volume, content and themes from Nova Scotia news media sources that discuss safe supply between 2018 and 2022. Searches of three English-language news media sources from Nova Scotia identified 41 articles, coded for type, tone, topic, harm reduction intervention and thematically analyzed. Volume of coverage increased over time, which coincided with the COVID-19 outbreak and implementation of safe supply programs. Changes in narrative framing and use of stigmatizing language were also observed. No longer understood as a political or criminal issue, Nova Scotia news media content frames safe supply as a health and social justice issue. News media sources in Nova Scotia are not directly contributing to the stigmatization of people who use substances. en_CA
dc.description.provenance Submitted by Greg Hilliard (greg.hilliard@smu.ca) on 2023-06-06T13:13:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Castle_Jessie_Honours_2023.pdf: 456641 bytes, checksum: 57d79272aa7133e000c3c2763ce7b96f (MD5) en
dc.description.provenance Made available in DSpace on 2023-06-06T13:13:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Castle_Jessie_Honours_2023.pdf: 456641 bytes, checksum: 57d79272aa7133e000c3c2763ce7b96f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2023-04-14 en
dc.language.iso en en_CA
dc.publisher Halifax, N.S. : Saint Mary's University
dc.title Junkie or patient? media’s portrayal of opioid harm reduction strategies in Nova Scotia en_CA
dc.type Text en_CA
thesis.degree.name Bachelor of Arts (Honours Criminology)
thesis.degree.level Undergraduate
thesis.degree.discipline Criminology
thesis.degree.grantor Saint Mary's University (Halifax, N.S.)
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