Downtown Eastside academics at the BCCSU work alongside first responders to reduce B.C. overdose deaths

published on January 29, 2019 in Georgia Straight

Vancouver paramedics and firefighters receive a lot of credit for the extra burden they’ve carried since fentanyl arrived in B.C. and sent overdose calls skyrocketing. The same goes for social-service providers and staff at supervised-injection sites. To be sure, they all deserve praise. But there’s another group working to prevent deaths—one that’s a step removed from the frontlines—that receives less attention.

In a supportive role are research organizations that inform on-the-ground efforts and help government officials improve services for overdose prevention and response…