Unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations | VANCOUVER – A new study led by FNHA in partnership with Simon Fraser University, aims to co-develop a provincial First Nations-led harm reduction framework to support First Nations communities in BC amid the ongoing toxic drug public health emergency.
The “Indigenizing Harm Reduction in Response to the Overdose Crisis: Knowledge Gathering with First Nations in BC to Create an Indigenous Harm Reduction Framework" (IHR study) has published
the Phase 1: Summary of Findings Report. The three-phase research project was launched as a part of FNHA's toxic drug response, which continues to disproportionately impact First Nations people in BC.
The study included community-based research, such as interviews with health service providers in BC, First Nations people with lived and/or living experience of substance use across BC, and a review of Indigenous-led harm reduction programs and initiatives across Australia, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Canada and the United States. Key findings from the first phase of the study include:
- the need for harm reduction services that culturally safe, relevant, effective and honour First Nations knowledge systems and ways of being
- the need for a continuum of care that addresses broader social determinants of health, including housing, food, childcare, culture, and economic support
Phase II of the IHR Study will focus on effective First Nations-led harm reduction practices that support the key findings from Phase I. Phase III will weave all learnings from the IHR Study to support the co-development of a provincial First Nations harm reduction framework. The goal of the framework is to ensure harm reduction services across BC are responsive to the needs of First Nations communities.
Learn More:
First Nations Health Authority
Media Relations
604-984-5962
media@fnha.ca
