Impact of overdose prevention sites during a public health emergency in Victoria, Canada

Original research
by
Pauly, Bernadette et al

Release Date

2020

Geography

Canada

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

The primary objective of this study was to examine the impacts associated with implementation of overdose preventions sites (OPSs) in Victoria, Canada during a declared provincial public health overdose emergency

Findings/Key points

Mitigating drug related stigma and facilitating a shift from shame and blame to increasing trust and development of r/t with increased opportunity to provide connections to other services. Although mitigating harms of OD, OPSs do not address the root problem of an unsafe drug supply. OPSs are imp life-saving interventions, but more is needed to address the current contamination of the illicit drug supply including provision of a safer supply.

Design/methods

Structured interviews n=15 staff including PWLLE + 12 service users

Keywords

Overdose
Harm reduction
Policy/Regulatory
Outcomes
Illegal drugs
Transitions in care/treatment
Stigma