Preventing overdose among formerly incarcerated persons during a public health emergency (PREVAIL)
Project Funding: Health Canada – Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP)
Project Period: 2022-2024
Overdose is a leading cause of death among persons with criminal justice system involvement in BC. People recently released from correctional centres in BC are at very high risk of overdose, particularly in the first month post-release. This study aims to identify pathways, opportunities and barriers to preventing overdose in the first three months post release.
The project has partnered with Unlocking the Gates Non-Profit Society to provide peer support to 120 people being released from correctional centres in BC who are at-risk of overdose. Participants are met on the day they are released and enrolled in the project. Participants are provided with:
- A care bundle with a harm reduction kit, including take-home naloxone; toiletries; personal supplies such as a backpack; and Indigenous participants will receive traditional medicines bundles co-created by Chee Mamuk and First Nations communities throughout BC as part of the SUAP-funded New Healthy Heart Work Chee Shoó-kǔm Tuḿ-tum Mamuk project.
- A cellular phone, pre-loaded with overdose prevention applications such as the LifeGuard App, and a three month talk/text/data plan.
- Peer support for three months post-release.
Participants will complete surveys and interviews at three points: at baseline (day of release), at one month, and at two months post-release. The interviews will be conducted one-on-one by a peer research associate.