Doctor discusses drug use study conducted in qathet region

published on January 10, 2023 by Paul Galinski in Powell River Peak

A study of people who use drugs conducted in the qathet region found a variety of negative consequences, likening the situation for drug users as living in a goldfish bowl.

Dr. Geoff Bardwell, the study’s lead, who is affiliated with BC Centre on Substance Use, and is also an assistant professor in the school of health sciences at University of Waterloo in Ontario, said a couple of years ago, he was contacted by the Powell River Community Action Team (CAT).

“There is really a lack of research and understanding of substance use and addictions issues in the rural and remote communities in BC,” said Bardwell. “This is somewhat surprising to me because rural communities are disproportionately impacted by overdose, yet it seems in British Columbia, most of the research has occurred in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside…