VANCOUVER, B.C. – A research study conducted by Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU), BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), Interior Health (IH) and the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) was published this month in the International Journal of Drug Policy, titled Take-Home Drug Checking as a Novel Harm Reduction Strategy in British Columbia, Canada. The research study demonstrated the utility of distributing fentanyl test strips for take-home use. Researchers compared fentanyl detection rates using take home test strips with those tested by trained staff at harm reduction sites. Among 1,768 opioid drug samples tested, the positivity rates of the take-home fentanyl test strips were similar to those obtained by trained staff at harm reduction sites (90 per cent positivity compared to 89.1 per cent respectively).
Where You Live Shouldn’t Decide if You Live
May 20 2025 – Paul Adams – BC Rural Health Network Across rural BC, accessing essential healthcare is increasingly defined by geography, cost, and chance.
