A qualitative study on perceptions and experiences of overdose among people who smoke drugs in Vancouver, British Columbia

Original research
by
Ivsins, Andrew et al

Release Date

2024

Geography

Canada

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

This study explores perceptions and experiences of overdose among people who smoke drugs.

Findings/Key points

Some participants perceived smoking drugs to pose lower overdose risk relative to injecting drugs. Participants reported smoking-related overdose experiences, including from underestimating the potency of drugs, the cross-contamination of stimulants with opioids, and responding to smoking-related overdose events.

Design/methods

Semi-structured, in-depth qualitative interviews from February to March 2023 with 31 people who reported currently smoking unregulated drugs in Vancouver, BC.

Keywords

About PWUD
Illegal drugs
Overdose