​​​​​​​​​The FNHA collaborates on research related to health system responses to the toxic drug crisis that disproportionately impact First Nations and Indigenous Peoples in BC. Current projects include provincial evaluations of prescribed safer supply (PSS), access to opioid agonist therapy (OAT), OAT delivery models, and the continuum of care for perinatal substance use.

These evaluations are conducted in partnership with researchers from the Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes, Simon Fraser University, Canadian Institute of Substance Use Research (CISUR) at the University of Victoria, BC Centre for Disease Co​ntrol, among others. 

​FNHA research uses a community-based participatory approach, involving the voices of people with lived/living experience throughout project life cycles to investigate the implementation, impacts and outcomes associated with various harm reduction and health service responses to the toxic drug crisis.

All research activities adhere to the principles of OCAP®, Indigenous data governance and research ethics, and Chapter 9 of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples of Canada. Below you will find summaries and infographics related to research on this topic.​

​​Prescribed Safer Supply

S​tudy: Impact of Prescribed Safer Supply on Population Health across BC

• ​Research Summary
• Infogr​aphic
  

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Pregnancy and Substance Use

Study: Substance Use in Pregnancy and Availability of Hospital- and Community-based Supportive Services in BC

• Research Summary
• ​Supports for Pregnant People Who Use Substances in BC​ (PDF resource)
  

Harm Reduction and Substance Use Care Research

Study: Opioid Agonist Therapy found to reduce death among First Nations and other residents with concurrent alcohol and opioid use disorders​​

• Research Summary​
  
• Infographic​

​Study: Association betwe​en toxic drug events and brain injury

• ​Research Summary
  
• Infographic​​​