Open AccessA Low-Barrier and Comprehensive Community-Based Harm-Reduction Site in Vancouver, Canada
Author(s) -
Michelle Olding,
Andrew Ivsins,
Samara Mayer,
Alex Betsos,
Jade Boyd,
Cindy Sutherland,
C. C. Culbertson,
Thomas Kerr,
Ryan McNeil
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2020.305612
Subject(s) - hydromorphone , harm reduction , medicine , drug overdose , medical emergency , environmental health , poison control , emergency medicine , public health , nursing , opioid , receptor
"The Molson" is a low-barrier, peer-staffed, supervised consumption site located in Vancouver, Canada. In addition to overdose response, this site offers drug checking and a colocated injectable hydromorphone treatment program, and it distributes tablet and liquid hydromorphone to service users at high risk of overdose. Our evaluation suggests benefits of this program in creating service continuums and preventing overdose deaths. From September 2017 to August 2019, the site had 128 944 visits, reversed 770 overdoses, and had no overdose deaths.