The study explored cultural safety as a strategy to address the stigma of substance use in acute care settings. Two research team members took on the role of knowledge brokers (KBs) in order to liaise between the research team and two distinct research advisory groups: one with people who use drugs and the other nurses. The KBs were instrumental in ensuring that the research process and outcomes reflected the needs, experiences and aspirations of people who use or have used illicit drugs, and the nurses providing care in hospitals as well as bridging differences in power and privilege between team members and advisory groups.