News by Subject Social & Behavior

People who regularly use psychoactive substances report experiencing a variety of negative impacts since the COVID-19 pandemic began, including increased usage and fear of relapse or overdose, highlighting the need for improved supports and services, including better access to safe supply programs, according to a new CAMH survey published in the International Journal of Drug Policy.

A study published this week in The Lancet Public Health examines how we can use our income assistance systems to address drug use and drug-related harm.

Financial strains like debt or unemployment are significant risk factors for becoming homeless, and even help to explain increased risk of homelessness associated with severe mental illness, reports a study in a supplement to the April issue of Medical Care. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.

Harm reduction treatment helped people experiencing homelessness and alcohol use disorder reduce drinking and improve their health-even if they didn't quit drinking alcohol. In a randomized clinical trial, researchers studied more than 300 people from three Seattle homeless programs who were assigned to groups receiving different services. Groups that received the harm reduction treatment saw more improvement than the control group -- with most improvement in the group that had treatment plus anti-craving medication.

Boston experienced a COVID-19 surge that disproportionately affected persons experiencing homelessness and a large safety-net hospital implemented a novel COVID-19 recuperation unit for these patients that provided isolation, quarantine and treatment for substance use. Researchers aimed to determine the association of the care provided by the unit with COVID-19 hospitalizations among people experiencing homelessness.

Meghan Joy, an assistant professor of political science, argues that urban studies, and particularly urban political scientists, should re-assess the concept of the progressive city. The once-widely embraced notion fell out of favour over the past several decades as local politicians embraced neoliberal policies that she says prioritized wealth generation over liveability and accessibility for all city residents.

This study suggests that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a hotel- based isolation and quarantine strategy that delivers integrated medical and behavioral health support to people experiencing homelessness can be done safely outside the hospital setting.

The needs of millions of overlooked, 'left behind' adolescent women must become a more significant priority within international efforts to end poverty by 2030, a UK Government-commissioned report is urging.