ArticleHarm reduction journal2025
Drug decriminalization: a co-designed study outlining the implications for providers of youth services.
Article in Harm reduction journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDeath by drug toxicity is now the leading cause of death among youth in British Columbia (BC). In January 2023, BC implemented decriminalization for personal possession (2.5 g) of certain substances for individuals 18 and over. This research aimed to gain a deeper understanding of service providers who work with youth (ages 15-24). Specifically, the study aimed to explore: (1) their attitudes and beliefs regarding drug decriminalization, and (2) the knowledge and resources they need to effectively discuss drug decriminalization with their clients.
methodsCommunity-based participatory research and interpretive description were used to co-design an interview guide and recruitment strategy with leaders at a BC integrated youth services initiative. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted in the fall of 2023 (pre-period of the decimalization repeal in BC) with service providers and data were coded using reflexive, inductive semantic thematic analysis.
resultsThe thematic analysis revealed that while decriminalization was perceived as a "step in the right direction," it remains insufficient to address the needs of youth in BC. Service providers expressed a significant disconnect between the policy and practical support required for youth clients. Despite their strong understanding of youth's needs, providers reported a lack of involvement in the policy development process.
conclusionService providers said that decriminalization is "a step in the right direction, but not enough." Additional youth-centred policies and services are needed to address the drug toxicity crisis in BC, and service providers and people who use drugs need a seat at the table to inform, design, and implement policies that will impact youth who use drugs.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.