Co/Lab in partnership with several other researchers and organizations across BC, recently received funding from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research for a study entitled:
A mixed-methods evaluation of risk mitigation measures to address the dual public health crises of COVID-19 and overdose.
Additionally, we have received funding to work with AVI Health and Community Services on a related project that is also evaluating aspects of the risk mitigation measures.
The project will assess the impact of the new risk-mitigation guidance that permits the prescribing of pharmaceutical alternatives to the toxic drug supply. The specific objectives are to:
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Determine the impact of risk mitigation guidance on COVID-19 infection, continuity of care for people who use substances and concurrent health conditions, overdose and all-cause mortality among people who use substances.
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Determine the impact on the uptake of public health measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, as well as other behavioural and psychosocial outcomes among people who use substances.
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Identify barriers and facilitators to implementation based on program uptake from the perspectives of people who use substances, prescribers, health care providers, outreach workers, and others.
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Explore different models of delivery of the risk mitigation guidelines.
