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The Cedar Project: Preparing For Culturally-Safe, Trauma Informed COVID-19 Response Among Urban Indigenous People Who Use Drugs In BC

  • Funded by Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research
  • Total publications:0 publications

Grant number: unknown

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Key facts

  • Disease

    COVID-19

  • Funder

    Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research

  • Principal Investigator

    Patricia Spittal

  • Research Location

    Canada

  • Lead Research Institution

    University of British Columbia

  • Research Priority Alignment

    N/A

  • Research Category

    Secondary impacts of disease, response & control measures

  • Research Subcategory

    N/A

  • Special Interest Tags

    N/A

  • Study Type

    Non-Clinical

  • Clinical Trial Details

    N/A

  • Broad Policy Alignment

    Pending

  • Age Group

    Unspecified

  • Vulnerable Population

    Drug usersIndigenous People

  • Occupations of Interest

    Unspecified

Abstract

Indigenous people who use drugs in BC are facing two public health emergencies: COVID-19 and the ongoing overdose crisis. One likely creates additional risk for the other. On one hand, COVID-19 and its response may affect access to clean smoking/injection equipment, safe supply of illicit drugs, income, and health and social services. Pandemic fears and restrictions may also impact mental wellbeing. On the other hand, substance use may increase COVID-19 risk through sharing smoking/injection equipment; barriers to physical distancing; and housing instability. Our study assesses impact of COVID-19 and the pandemic response, as well as its domino effects, among Indigenous people who use drugs. The study will inform a culturally-safe, trauma informed response for this population.