Overdose prevention sites in B.C. provide a wide range of health benefits, new study suggests
A new study suggests that the presence of more overdose prevention sites (OPS) in B.C. has been associated with a wide range of health benefits.
The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Addiction on Thursday and was conducted by researchers from the B.C. Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) and the University of British Columbia.
Researchers aimed to measure the impact of the OPS scale-up that began in Vancouver in 2016, in response to a dramatic rise in overdose deaths due to injection drug use.
At the time, research showed that the annual overdose death rate in B.C. was 20.4 per 100,000, which was a rate 84 per cent higher than in 2015. This prompted government officials to declare a public health emergency in April 2016.
For the study, 745 people who inject drugs in Vancouver were interviewed between January 2015 and November 2018 to find out how additional OPS changed supervised injection service use, public injection, and syringe change and addiction treatment participation. Two ongoing cohort studies based in the city were also used as part of the research.
Researchers found that due to the expansion of OPS, public injection in the area immediately decreased from about 36 per cent to 30 per cent, and syringe-sharing decreased from about 5 per cent to 2 per cent. In addition, the use of supervised consumption services immediately increased from about 41 per cent to 47 per cent.
According to the authors of the study, the findings build upon previous evidence that OPS can reduce fatal overdoses, reduce the transmission of diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C, as well as improve the well-being of neighbourhoods by reducing criminal activity.
"Overdose prevention sites are low-barrier settings that not only prevent overdose deaths, but also have the added benefit of bringing people into a supportive environment where they can get the help they need," said lead author and research scientist at the BCCSU Dr. Mary Clare Kennedy in a press release. “Given the worsening of the drug poisoning crisis across the country, access to these services should be expanded.”
According to the latest report from B.C.’s chief coroner, the death rate due to toxic illicit drugs has nearly doubled since 2016. As of September 2021, the rate was sitting at 39.4 deaths per 100,000 residents in the province.
B.C.’s chief coroner also noted in the report that fentanyl and its analogues have been detected in 84 per cent of all 2021 illicit drug deaths.
When the data from the report was released in earlier this month, B.C.’s minister of mental health and addictions noted that the province had pledged $132 million in investments over the next three years for treatment and recovery. The provincial government has also requested a federal exemption that would allow B.C. to decriminalize small amounts of hard drugs.
According to the new study, there are currently only 40 OPS operating in Canada, and only 38 federally sanctioned supervised consumption sites (SCS), which are similar to an OPS, but do not perform assisted injection. Areas such as Ontario for example, only have OPS in London, Toronto and Ottawa.
Researchers said that those who use drugs often prefer an OPS to an SCS due to the assisted injection component, as well as the fact that they are staffed by peers and hope to see more created in the future.
“This research shows exactly what we are seeing on the frontline - that OPS save lives in so many ways,” said Sarah Blyth, a co-founder of the Overdose Prevention Society in a press release. “I hope this information helps guide government officials.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America announced after 114 years that it will change its name and will become Scouting America in an effort to emphasize inclusion as it works to move past the turmoil of bankruptcy and a flood of sexual abuse claims.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.