Category: PAN News and Events

Substance Use News August 2020

Substance Use News provides a snapshot of news and resources for those working to support folks who use substances. 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… Read more »

International Overdose Awareness Day  has been running for almost 20 years and is a global event held on 31st August, aiming to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as… Read more »

Thanks to leadership from REACH Nexus (CIHR Centre for REACH in HIV/AIDS), we are imminently expecting Health Canada’s approval for Canada’s first HIV self test. This builds off previous changes made in September 2019 making Biolytical’s INSTI HIV POC more accessible for use by non-healthcare providers. In order to support implementation REACH Nexus has launched… Read more »

Update: Thank you for your interest in the People with Lived Experiences’ Strengths in the Face of Stigma study. Please note that we have closed recruitment for this study and are no longer accepting new participants. New study on strengths and resilience of people living with HIV in BC is looking for participants! Are you… Read more »

  Michelle is a Peer Research Associate with the Making it Work Community Based Research Study. She also works at Positive Living North, and is a board member with the Pounds Project in Prince George. What first piqued your interest in the HIV/ hepatitis C sector? My first eye opening experience with HIV was when I met… Read more »

It is estimated that 14% of Canadians living with HIV (or approximately 9,000 people) do not know that they are HIV-positive. According to the CATIE report (2019), 71% of key players working in testing think that HIV self-testing is an important approach to reach the undiagnosed. Now is an important and critical time here in… Read more »

Substance Use News July 2020

Substance Use News provides a snapshot of news and resources for those working to support folks who use substances. 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… Read more »

I recently had the opportunity to participate in the San’yas: Indigenous Cultural Training Program offered by the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA)[1]. The purpose of this training is to “develop skills and promote positive partnerships between service providers and Indigenous people”[2]. The training is primarily catered to and accessible to health practitioners and/or service providers… Read more »

  Our province has moved into Phase 3 of the COVID-19 restart plan, and there is no doubt that BC has done a good job of “flattening the curve” – thanks to the leadership of our public health officials (including PHO Dr. Bonnie Henry), and the work of health care workers, and countless others including… Read more »

New PLDI Connections

Hi my name is Marc Seguin and I am the Manager of the PLDI program here in BC. The PLDI acronym stands for the Positive Leadership Development Institute, which is a structured program of professional development trainings for HIV-Positive people in BC. Some of our trainings include reflecting on Core questions, such as Who am… Read more »