Intravenous drug use has become a widely recognized contributor to the growing opioid overdose epidemic (Driedger &Wiercigroch, n.d). The side effects of participating in this dangerous substance use include but are not limited to overdose and contraction of blood-borne illnesses such as HIV, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B (Baciewicz, 2016). The population most often associated with intravenous drug use are part of a marginalized or vulnerable group including individuals suffering from mental health issues or homelessness.
With the growing amount of fatalities, serious health effects and taxation of resources, several strategies were implemented to protect this vulnerable population. The Government of British Columbia has invested in the development of strategies to address harm reduction in populations living at higher risk (Government of B.C., 2018). Supervised injection sites have been set up in strategic areas around the downtown core of Vancouver to mitigate some of the risks associated with intravenous drug use (Government of B.C., 2018). These harm reduction facilities provide a safe space, including clean needles and nurses/ physicians to oversee injections and testing of the drug the individual has brought in (Government of B.C., 2018). The access to clean supplies such as needles and syringes has decreased the spread of blood borne illnesses (Government of B.C., 2019). Additionally, supervision at the sites have prevented any fatal overdoses from occurring since the opening of the clinics (Government of B.C, 2019). Many of these clinics also provide resources such as information on housing, mental health treatments, and detox centers to support this marginalized population.
Despite this crisis making international headlines, stigma and a lack of understanding continues to plague the topics of substance use and addiction (Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, 2018). The Government of British Columbia has recently initiated a campaign to reduce stigma and increase awareness about substance use and addiction. Decreasing this long-lasting stigma is essential to encourage more people to seek safe treatment and receive access to the resources and supports they need (Lloyd, 2013). Continued education is needed for non-users to diminish fear and hopefully improve support (Lloyd, 2013). Additional beneficial resources to support this population include access to opioid agonist therapy and supportive housing (Driedger &Wiercigroch, n.d). The increased use of wrap around services that meet this population where they are at and are readily available will significantly address the some of the challenges associated with this vulnerable population.
References
Baciewicz, G. (2016). Injecting drug use follow-up. Retrieved from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286976-followup
Driedger, M., Wiercigroch, D.,(n.d) Responding to Canada’s Opioid Crisis. Retrieved from https://www.cfms.org/files/meetings/sgm-2018/resolutions/CFMS-position-paper-responding-to-opiates-crisis.pdf
Government of B.C. (2019). Why we need harm reduction facilities. Retrieved from https://www.stopoverdose.gov.bc.ca/theweekly/why-we-need-harm-reduction-facilities
Government of B.C. (2018). Overdose prevention sites, supervised consumption services and drug checking. Retrieved from https://www.stopoverdose.gov.bc.ca/theweekly/overdose-prevention-sites-supervised-consumption-services-drug-checking
Lloyd C. (2013). The stigmatization of problem drug users: A narrative literature review. Drugs: Education, prevention and policy. 2013;20(2):85–95. Retrieved on March 19, 2018 from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09687637.2012.743506
Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions (2018) Retrieved from https://www.stopoverdose.gov.bc.ca//
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