The BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) is an academic centre housed within Providence Health Care (PHC) and Providence Research, and is a University of British Columbia (UBC) Faculty of Medicine-affiliated centre focused on substance use and addiction medicine. BCCSU is also a research centre affiliated with the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI).

BCCSU receives funding from the Government of British Columbia through a shared cost arrangement to support its work on education and training, research and evaluation, and clinical care guidance related to substance use and addition. BCCSU is also supported through fundraising by St. Paul’s Foundation and UBC.

Research and evaluation activities conducted by BCCSU-affiliated researchers are largely funded through peer-reviewed, study-specific grants from external agencies, including government and non-profit foundations such as the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Michael Smith Health Research BC. Some Principal Investigators may also have general research funding not tied to a specific study (e.g., professorships). Study findings (interim and/or final) are reported back to the funding agencies. However, the funding agencies have no influence on the interpretation or reporting of study results.

All research conducted by BCCSU Principal Investigators is subject to rigorous, independent ethical review processes through the Research Ethics Boards (REB) associated with the Principal Investigator’s home research institution(s) and, when applicable, of health regions and/or health service organizations (e.g., universities, provincial health authorities, hospitals, etc.) where data collection will occur. REBs are independent of the parent institutions and follow all requisite criteria pursuant to the Tri-Council Policy Statement and the International Conference on Harmonization Good Clinical Practice Guidelines. A REB review includes an evaluation of the purpose of the research, the appropriateness of research methods, the capacity and ability of the research team, potential conflicts of interest (including financial), and participant risk profiles, among other topics.

Research findings are also published in peer-reviewed academic journals where the study methods and results undergo another level of academic review. If accepted, the findings are made publicly available. Funding sources are always disclosed, as are any perceived or actual conflicts of interest for each author.

Funders and partners of activities at BCCSU – including work related to research, community engagement, and clinical training and education – include:

BC Centre on Substance Use

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