Cannabis use may reduce likelihood of illicit opioid use for pain management, new research finds
November 19, 2019

For people living with chronic pain, new research from the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use describes how some might be using cannabis to reduce their reliance on illicit opioids. Researchers from the BCCSU and University of British Columbia (UBC) interviewed more than 1,100 people at highest risk of opioid overdose in Vancouver betwee...

Cannabis could help alleviate depression and suicidality among people with PTSD, new study suggests
November 5, 2019

Cannabis may be helping Canadians cope with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to new research from the BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU). In an analysis of data collected by Statistics Canada from more than 24,000 Canadians, researchers from the BCCSU and University of British Columbia (UBC) found that having PTSD was...

First-of-its-kind guideline sets out best practices for delivering injectable opioid agonist treatment
September 23, 2019

The first-ever Canadian guidelines for prescribing injectable opioid agonist treatment (iOAT) were released today. The clinical guideline provides optimal strategies for delivering iOAT with prescription heroin and hydromorphone for people with severe opioid use disorder. In 2018, 4,460 Canadians died from an opioid overdose, a 9% increase from 201...

Study: Downtown Eastside policing strategies create barriers to accessing overdose prevention sites
September 18, 2019

Policing practices in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) are increasing overdose risks among people who use drugs and creating barriers to accessing overdose prevention sites (OPS), according to a new study from researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU). “Policing tactics that target people...

Two BCCSU researchers receive Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Trainee Awards
July 17, 2019

Two BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) researchers are among the new recipients of Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR) 2019 Research Trainee Awards. This year’s MSFHR Research Trainee Award recipients include BCCSU post-doctoral research fellows Paxton Bach and Hudson Reddon. The MSFHR Research Trainee Program supports health res...

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