Release Date
Geography
Language of Resource
Full Text Available
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Peer Reviewed
Objective
The goal of this research was to identify key ways the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the lives of PWUD, particularly the impacts of pandemic-related restrictions on basic, health, and harm reduction needs.
Findings/Key points
Findings suggest PWUD in Canada experienced difficulties meeting essential needs and accessing some harm reduction services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Especially difficulty in ability to self isolate, becoming unhoused, overdose risk, food insecurity, and missing OAT doses due to service disruptions/restriction. There were some reports of difficulty accessing supervised consumption sites in all three sites, and drug checking services in Vancouver. These findings can inform preparedness planning for future public health emergencies.
Design/methods
1,025 participants from Vancouver (n = 640), Toronto (n = 158), and Montreal (n = 227), Canada were surveyed.
