Low-barrier harm reduction and housing for older people in Vancouver’s opiate crisis

Meeting People Where They Are

Bibliographic Data

ID6421037
AuthorsDonna Baines (0000-0003-3569-0083, University of British Columbia), Susan Braedley (0000-0002-9167-9711), Tom Daly (0000-0003-1455-1340, York University), Sheila Hillier (0000-0003-3874-9212, York University), Frances Cabahug (0009-0003-7649-8853, University of British Columbia)
Year2024
Volume13
Issue1
Pages41-56
Publication date2024-06-29
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCritical and Radical Social Work (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2049-8675 • E-ISSN: 2049-8608
PublisherBristol University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1332/20498608y2024d000000031
OpenAlexW4400143423
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited12

Drawing on recent case-study data, this article explores innovative practices around harm reduction and housing for older people who use drugs. Although right-wing groups call for further criminalisation of drug use, in light of extraordinarily high levels of deaths from opioid overdose in Vancouver, Canada, the provincial government has quietly permitted the development of safe supply, the testing of illegal drugs to avoid poisonings and the provision of low-barrier, inclusive and supportive social housing, including housing specifically for older people. Drawing on crisis theory, the article analyses the provision of low-barrier harm reduction services for this marginalised and highly vulnerable group of older people and reflects on what we can learn about providing supports that are needs based and strengths based and embody meeting people where they are

Harm · Harm reduction · Older people · Opiate · Public health · Reduction (mathematics · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · Homelessness and Social Issues · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes · Gerontology

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Open DOIOpen Access