Comparative Analysis of Unregulated Drug Supply Trends and Drug Checking Strategies in British Columbia and France

The ongoing illicit drug poisoning crisis in Canada has resulted in over 40,000 deaths since 2016, with British Columbia being the province hardest hit. The crisis is largely driven by the presence of potent fentanyl analogues in unregulated drugs, leading to this significant rise in overdose deaths. In contrast, Europe, including France, has not experienced a similar increase in fentanyl-related deaths, though concerns are growing due to recent cases involving synthetic opioids and other new substances. To address this crisis, harm reduction services like drug checking, which allows people to identify the chemical composition of their drugs, have been implemented in both regions. This proposal aims to explore the effectiveness of drug checking services in BC and France, focusing on the factors influencing their use, emerging trends in unregulated drug supplies, and their impact on reducing drug-related harms.

Faculty Supervisor:

Lianping Ti

Student:

Partner:

Aix-Marseille Université

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: