Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research
273-2300 McKenzie Avenue V8P 5C2 Victoria, BC, Canada

Some of the research indicates that, when people complete dry January, they then continue to drink a little less both in terms of quantity and frequency than they did before, explains Stockwell, So there’s some lasting benefits.

Hi folks, we are signing off for a wee break for the last couple weeks of 2020. We will be back online January 4.

Check out the BC Co/Lab project's first email newsletter, outlining some of the work they've accomplished in 2020.

Thanks to everyone who made it out to Substance Use Grand Rounds featuring Vancouver Island Drug Checking Project! It was such a fascinating presentation. If you missed it or just want to watch it again, here is a full video (the FB live one is missing a couple minutes at the beginning).

Check out the Crystal Meth Project, a which examines the experiences of sexual and gender diverse men, including trans-men and non-binary people related to crystal methamphetamine and related services and supports. https://www.cbrc.net/crystal_meth_project

Check out UVic's top stories of the year, which includes CISUR's Bernie Pauly and Meagan Brown and their work on managed alcohol programs and the Canadian Managed Alcohol Program Study! https://www.uvic.ca/ne/topics/2020+top-11-stories-2020+news

One team’s experience operating and researching a drug-checking service during the deepening overdose crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The drop in alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland is the first substantial decrease in that category since 2012. "It follows the introduction of minimum unit pricing by the Scottish government in May 2018 a bid to cut consumption and save lives."

We are excited to be part of this virtual event hosted by the Pacific AIDS Network! "At this event we will discuss alcohol use trends over time, and the effects of alcohol use in BC communities, including insight into the socially sanctioned and promoted use of alcohol; the weaving of alcohol into everyday life; and the rise of managed alcohol programs as intervention to reduce harms related to high risk drinking, severe alcohol dependence, homelessness and poverty."

"Mona Strelaeff, a 67 year-old woman living in Victoria, B.C., said she was granted an exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act allowing her to consume shrooms to treat ongoing trauma."

"Over the last year, the pandemic has created new barriers for those in need of public hygiene facilities. Few options for a hot shower remain open, and those that do are located primarily within the downtown core and face limitations due to COVID-19."

"The 11.2 litres of pure alcohol is roughly equivalent to 638 bottles of five per cent beer a year or more than 12 bottles per week or 104 bottles of wine a year, or two bottles per week." These numbers are based on our analysis of alcohol consumption in BC...and we will have new data to share very soon!

A liquor store is safer supply for everybody, she said, except these people can’t afford it or can’t access it and they’re left to manage their own consumption." CISUR scientist Bernie Pauly and PhD student Meaghan Brown talk about Managed Alcohol Programs and how they've changed during COVID-19 in The Tyee.

"Howell's struggle to get off the street is all too common, says Colin Tessier, executive director of the Threshold Housing Society, which provides support for homeless youth in Victoria. "He says more than 150 youth are homeless in Victoria on any given night, and more than double that number are living in dangerous homes and will become homeless in the next year."

Come listen to Corey Ranger tomorrow- an outreach nurse with AVI and the SAFER initiative discuss what its like doing harm reduction work during COVID 19 and th...e Opioid Crisis. If you practice or work in harm reduction, are interested in the effects of this pandemic on life-saving work or are interested to hear valuable perspectives and gain understanding on the matter than this discussion is for you. See more

CISUR's Bernie Pauly was on CTV Vancouver Island yesterday commenting on Solid Outreach Services' cannabis substitution program. https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/video

Hi folks, hope you can join us for the next edition of the Substance Use Grand Rounds in partnership with Island Health, featuring Vancouver Island Drug Checking Project!

We were seeing a high number of deaths due to the toxic drug supply. So, the choice of location is based on all of those statistics and where we can meet the needs of most people who are at risk.

"The death toll in September is more than double the 60 fatalities recorded in the same month last year. But it marked a 15 per cent decrease from the number of deaths in August after several record-breaking months in the spring and summer."

The folks at the Vancouver Island Drug Checking Project are now releasing monthly reports on what they've found in their samples. Check it out!

"Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has vowed no one will be left behind due to the pandemic. Yet the stigma and criminalization of sex work have left workers unable or unwilling to access most government income support programs because they fear further stigmatization and police harassment." Cecilia Benoit writes in IRPP / Policy Options

Alcohol policies, such as minimum unit price, have particular importance during the covid-19 pandemic, as stronger alcohol policies may help to reduce the high burden on healthcare systems." -CISUR's Adam Sherk in New Scientist.

Our next Substance Use Grand Rounds with Island Health takes place on November 17 and features the Vancouver Island Drug Checking Project! "Drug-Checking: Implementing Harm Reduction in Dual Public Health Crises," 3pm PST Tuesday November 17 online. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/drug-checking-implementing-harm