Category: Advocacy, Policy, Public Health

Thanks to those who have participated in PAN’s safe supply surveys! In this blog post, we share a few insights we learned from your responses to the 2nd installment of this survey.  As you might recall, PAN’s safe supply survey was first distributed in July – August 2020. Our aim was to gather input on the rollout of the BC Government’s Clinical Guidance… Read more »

PHAC conducted an online COVID-19 survey on delivery of STBBI services in November & December 2020, as part of a series of four national online surveys to gather timely information on the impacts of COVID-19 on sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI) services. As we commemorate Sexual and Reproductive Awareness Week (February 8-14, 2021), we… Read more »

BC’s Overdose Overview: January 31- February 6, 2021

The BCCDC Overdose Dashboard provides updates on: Illegal drug overdoses attended by paramedics (BCEHS) Illicit drug toxicity deaths (BCCS defined) Mortality rate maps by Health Services Delivery Area (HSDA) Severity of ingestion poisoning calls coded in most severe category at time of ambulance dispatch (provincial view) Severity of overdose patient presentation assessed by paramedics using the Glasgow… Read more »

Substance Use News provides a snapshot of news and resources for those working in harm reduction. We share pieces on the social, medical and political responses to the opioid crisis, from advocacy to welcome change. With the added layer of the coronoavirus/COVID-19 public health constraints, those working in harm reduction have heightened concerns about how… Read more »

BC’s Overdose Overview: January 24-30, 2021

The BCCDC Overdose Dashboard provides updates on: Illegal drug overdoses attended by paramedics (BCEHS) Illicit drug toxicity deaths (BCCS defined) Mortality rate maps by Health Services Delivery Area (HSDA) Severity of ingestion poisoning calls coded in most severe category at time of ambulance dispatch (provincial view) Severity of overdose patient presentation assessed by paramedics using the Glasgow… Read more »

News Release from Health Canada (Excerpt) Life-saving initiatives will provide pharmaceutical-grade medication as alternative to toxic illegal drug supply during COVID-19 outbreak and beyond February 1, 2021 The overdose crisis continues to be one of the most serious public health crises in Canada’s recent history. Tragically, in many communities, the COVID-19 outbreak is worsening this… Read more »

Substance Use News: January 2021

Substance Use News provides a snapshot of news and resources for those working in harm reduction. We share pieces on the social, medical and political responses to the opioid crisis, from advocacy to welcome change. With the added layer of the coronoavirus/COVID-19 public health constraints, those working in harm reduction have heightened concerns about how… Read more »

BC’s Overdose Overview: January 17 – 23, 2021

The BCCDC Overdose Dashboard provides updates on: Illegal drug overdoses attended by paramedics (BCEHS) Illicit drug toxicity deaths (BCCS defined) Mortality rate maps by Health Services Delivery Area (HSDA) Severity of ingestion poisoning calls coded in most severe category at time of ambulance dispatch (provincial view) Severity of overdose patient presentation assessed by paramedics using the Glasgow… Read more »

CGSHE Speaker Series presents: Dr. Greta Bauer CIHR Sex & Gender Science Chair / Western University Incorporating Intersectionality Into Your Quantitative Research Date: Thursday February 18 Time: 12:00-1:00 PM Pacific time Via Zoom: Register now   About the talk: Since Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term intersectionality in 1989, there’s been much dialogue about how it could be better utilized… Read more »

Webinar: COVID-19 and Alcohol Policy

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction is hosting two webinars in February: The pandemic has had far-reaching impacts on Canadians, including on alcohol use and sales, and on changes to alcohol policy. Recent polling data suggests that around 20% of Canadians have been drinking more during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time,… Read more »

Webinar from PHAC: Syphilis: Key Populations in Canada

Date: Thursday, February 4, 2021 Time: 10-11 AM Pacific time Several key populations have been disproportionately affected during the syphilis epidemic in Canada in recent years. The Public Health Agency of Canada recently released an in-depth look at syphilis in Canada in the past decade in a report titled Syphilis in Canada: Technical report on… Read more »

BC’s Overdose Overview: January 10 – 16, 2021

The BCCDC Overdose Dashboard provides updates on: Illegal drug overdoses attended by paramedics (BCEHS) Illicit drug toxicity deaths (BCCS defined) Mortality rate maps by Health Services Delivery Area (HSDA) Severity of ingestion poisoning calls coded in most severe category at time of ambulance dispatch (provincial view) Severity of overdose patient presentation assessed by paramedics using the… Read more »