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Public Attitudes Towards Safer Drug Use Practices in British Columbia (BC)

Public Attitudes Towards Safer Drug Use Practices in British Columbia (BC). Despina Tzemis , Margot Kuo , Jane Buxton BC Centre for Disease Control Harm Reduction Program Email: outreach@towardtheheart.com Webpage: towardtheheart.com. Outline. Who we are Background Objective Methods

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Public Attitudes Towards Safer Drug Use Practices in British Columbia (BC)

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  1. Public Attitudes Towards Safer Drug Use Practices in British Columbia (BC) DespinaTzemis, Margot Kuo, Jane Buxton BC Centre for Disease Control Harm Reduction Program Email: outreach@towardtheheart.com Webpage: towardtheheart.com

  2. Outline • Who we are • Background • Objective • Methods • Results • Discussion • Conclusion

  3. BC Harm Reduction Program • BC CDC coordinates the BC HRSS and DOAP Committee. • Committee: ministry of health , health authorities, first nations input, & people who use drugs, among other stakeholders. • Develop evidence-based policies, training resources, & distribute supplies to reduce drug related harms. • Continually evaluate program and identify areas of concern & research - public attitudes toward harm reduction. www.towardtheheart.com

  4. Background • The media and vocal opponents often negatively represent safer drug use initiatives based on ideology, not evidence

  5. Background • Media can influence policy, and so can public opinion. (Boyd & Carter, 2010; MacNeil & Pauly, 2010) • Policies: • Represent the public’s views • Should be evidence based • Need to reduce harms

  6. Objectives • To better understand the British Columbian’s attitudes toward harm reduction strategies and services • Areas of interest: • harm reduction (general) • needle distribution • needle distribution in your community • safer inhalation equipment

  7. Methods • August 2011 conducted survey by random digit dialing. • Socio-demographic information collected: sex, age, education level, & residing geographic location. • Questions: general harm reduction, needle distribution, & safer inhalation equipment distribution. • 2000 completed surveys. • Statistical methods: weighted variable, multivariate logistic regression

  8. Results • Our sample (n=2000): • 50% female • 3 age groups: • (28%) 19-34 years • (37%) 35-54 years • (35%) 55+ years • Education: • (7%) >high school • (30%) completed university • Region: • 20% of respondents from each HA

  9. Harm Reduction bivariate (n=1749)

  10. Harm Reduction multivariate (n=1749)

  11. Discussion • High support for safer drug use practices • Trends predictive of previous findings • Targeted knowledge exchange • Limitation: negative media re glass stem distribution

  12. Conclusion BC supports Harm Reduction! Harm Reduction works! Policies should reflect this!

  13. Reference • Boyd, S. & Carter, C. (2010). Methamphetamine Discourse: Media, Law, and Policy. Canadian Journal of Communication, 35: 219-237. • MacNeil, J. & Pauly, B. (2010). Impact: a case study examining the closure of a large urban fixed site needle exchange in Canada. Harm Reduction Journal, 7:11.

  14. Acknowledgment • HR service providers and health care providers across BC for the work they do • People who use drugs and community members for advocating for safer drug use policies

  15. Thank you! • Questions? • Contact information: despina.tzemis@bccdc.ca Webpage: www.towardtheheart.com

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