It is common practice in the health system to evaluate novel (ie. new, different, or innovative) solutions to urgent and emerging public health crises. Examples of previous such life-saving research include HIV medication buyer’s clubs, needle distribution programs, and supervised injection sites.

Consistent with this history, the BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) has supported the scientific evaluation of the compassion club operated by the Drug User Liberation Front (DULF). The work involved qualitative interviews with program participants and secondary analysis of quantitative data. The evaluation was supported through peer-reviewed grants and approved through independent ethics review by the Research Ethics Board (REB).