Made-in-BC approach model for new national guideline for treating opioid use disorder
March 5, 2018
A first of its kind Canadian guideline setting out best practices for treating people with opioid addiction has been released today. The new guideline, based on provincial guidelines developed by the BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) and implemented in British Columbia last year, will support health care providers to help address overdoses and sav...
One-in-five injection drug users in Vancouver exposed to fentanyl
February 9, 2018
One-in-five injection drug users in Vancouver have tested positive for fentanyl, according to a new study published by researchers at the BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU). Unlike previous reports that look at the prevalence of fentanyl in opioid overdose deaths, this is the first report on non-fatal exposure to fentanyl. “This is the first, and...
Province expands fentanyl testing and launches drug checking pilot in Vancouver
November 10, 2017
To provide potentially life-saving information to people who use drugs, a new drug checking service is being tested in Vancouver – the first of its kind in Canada. The pilot study began last week as part of the provincial government’s work to test whether making drug checking more widely available will help prevent overdose deaths. “With dang...
Provincial guidelines for injectable opioid treatments released
October 11, 2017
The BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) has released the province’s first-ever guidelines for prescribing of injectable treatments for opioid addiction. The new guidelines provide recommendations for how injectable opioid agonist treatments can be introduced into clinical practice in order to prevent premature death from overdose and other imminen...
New research shows ayahuasca has potential for healing eating disorders
September 12, 2017
A compelling new study suggests ayahuasca may have potential as a therapeutic intervention for difficult-to-treat eating disorders. The study, published today in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, interviewed individuals with a diagnosed eating disorder who had also participated in ayahuasca ceremonies. Many reported a reduction and in some cases c...
