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mixed-methods evaluation of the impact of decriminalization on harm reduction and opioid agonist treatment (OAT) services

This study will follow a two-phased mixed-methods approach. In the first phase, we will administer an annual longitudinal online survey of representatives who provide harm reduction and treatment services directly to adult PWUD in BC to routinely capture and collect province-wide data pertaining to the operationalization of these services in terms of waitlists, admissions, uptake, engagement, and retention in treatment, etc. It will be important to monitor the impacts of decriminalization on these services and the clients they serve going forward. In the second phase, we will conduct follow-up qualitative interviews with a subset of survey participants who indicated interest in participating. 

We plan to connect with appropriate and relevant organizations that offer harm reduction and treatment services for adults in BC, by collaborating with relevant networks and CRISM contacts. These networks will help us identify and connect with a sample of harm reduction and treatment services that are representative of the five Health Authorities (i.e., Interior, Fraser, Vancouver Coastal, Vancouver Island, and Northern), and their respective Health Service Delivery Areas (HSDAs), and local health areas.


Harm Reduction 

Harm reduction services will include supervised consumption sites, overdose prevention services, needle exchange programs, safe supply programs and drug checking programs as these are low-barrier services which are integrated into many PWUD communities and will likely see a strong demand under decriminalization.

Harm reduction service questions will focus on the following:

  • Service capacity
  • Services offered
  • Service utilization/uptake
  • Resources (personnel, infrastructure, and funding)
  • Referral pathways
  • Clientele specifics (demographics, substance use profiles, etc.)

OAT

Treatment services will include opioid agonist treatment (OAT) providers and clinics. OAT is the recommended first-line treatment for opioid use disorder and PWUD who may become interested in seeking treatment post-decriminalization may likely be prescribed OAT. It is therefore likely that we will see an increase in demand and engagement with OAT. 

OAT service questions will focus on the following:

  • Service capacity
  • Provider information (e.g., physician, nurse practitioner, pharmacist)
  • Waitlists
  • Eligibility criteria
  • Types of OAT offered
  • Access to and provision of OAT take-home doses
  • Service utilization/uptake
  • Treatment retention
  • Resources (personnel, infrastructure, and funding)
  • Referral pathways
  • Clientele specifics (demographics, substance use profiles, etc.)


Publications

PublicationExploring the early impacts of drug decriminalization on harm reduction and opioid agonist treatment service operations and delivery in British Columbia: insights from key informant interviews. Russell, C., Torres-Salbach, S., McKinnon, L., Shahin, R., Griffith, D., Hodgson, K., Burmeister, C., Amoral, C., Imtiaz, S., Rehm, J., Ali, F.

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PublicationExamining opioid agonist treatment (OAT) site operations and early signals of change in the first year of British Columbia’s drug decriminalization policy: Insights from a provincial survey. Russell,C., Law, J., Hodgson, K., Mackinnon, L., Shahin, R., Crichlow, F., Patenaude, S., Imtiaz, S., Rhem, J., Ali, F. 

 

Knowledge Translation Materials


Decriminalization Evaluation: Year 1 Progress of the Decriminalization of Illegal Drugs in British Columbia: Qualitative Interviews with Harm Reduction and Opioid Agonist Treatment Providers: Changes to Service Operations and Delivery


Decriminalization Evaluation: Year 1Progress of the Decriminalization of Illegal Drugs in British Columbia: OAT

Decriminalization Evaluation: Year 1Progress of the Decriminalization of Illegal Drugs in British Columbia: Harm Reduction Site Operations