There is often a disconnect between what drugs people think they are using and what they are actually using, increasing the risk of harm to people who use drugs. The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction recently released a report, Community Urinalysis and Self-Report Project: Cross-Canada Report on the Use of Drugs from the Unregulated Supply, 2019–2021 Data, presenting data collected from people who use drugs in seven regions across Canada.
We are following up with a set of infographics that highlights the key findings and recommended actions from the report related to opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants and drug use preferences and trends.
- Unexpected use of fentanyl and heroin/morphine was found in every region, although patterns of detection and expectationvaried by region and gender category.
- Unexpected fentanyl use was found most often among women, while unexpected benzodiazepine use was found most often among those identifying as a gender minority (i.e., trans men or women, gender nonconforming, nonbinary or no gender indicated).
- Overall, unexpected benzodiazepine use was found in 1 in 3 people.
- Unexpected stimulant use was found in all regions. Methamphetamine/amphetamine use was more often unexpected than cocaine/crack use.
- The most preferred opioids were heroin, fentanyl and hydromorphone, which are typically available from the unregulated supply, safer supply programs or injectable opioid agonist therapy.
- Given that many participants reported smoking their drugs, access to safer supply options that may be smoked, observed inhalation facilities and safer smoking supplies should be considered.
The findings presented in the infographics can be used to inform the development and expansion of harm reduction services that are tailored to the needs of people who use drugs in communities across Canada. Results may also inform the development of policies to reduce the toxicity of the drug supply, including policies that enable a safer supply.
To learn more about the project, visit https://www.ccsa.ca/urinalysis-and-self-reporting.
Highlights how often fentanyl and heroin/morphine were detected among 1,526 people who use drugs from seven regions in Canada. Results are broken down by whether participants expected or did not expect to use these drugs. The infographic also recommends actions to reduce harms associated with the unpredictability of the unregulated drug supply. This follows the report Community Urinalysis and Self-Report Project: Cross-Canada Report on the Use of Drugs from the Unregulated Supply, 2019-2021 Data.
Highlights how often benzodiazepines were detected among 1,526 people who use drugs from seven regions in Canada. Results are broken down by whether participants expected or did not expect to use benzodiazepines. The infographic also recommends actions to reduce harms associated with the unpredictability of the unregulated drug supply. This follows the report Community Urinalysis and Self-Report Project: Cross-Canada Report on the Use of Drugs from the Unregulated Supply, 2019-2021 Data.
Highlights how often cocaine/crack and methamphetamine/amphetamine were detected among 1,526 people who use drugs from seven regions in Canada. Results are broken down by whether participants expected or did not expect to use these drugs. The infographic also recommends actions to reduce harms associated with the unpredictability of the unregulated drug supply. This follows the report Community Urinalysis and Self-Report Project: Cross-Canada Report on the Use of Drugs from the Unregulated Supply, 2019-2021 Data.
Highlights trends in survey responses from people who use drugs about preferred opioids and stimulants, polysubstance use and method of use. The infographic also recommends actions to reduce harms associated with the unpredictability of the unregulated drug supply. This follows the report Community Urinalysis and Self-Report Project: Cross-Canada Report on the Use of Drugs from the Unregulated Supply, 2019–2021 Data.