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  • Harm Reduction and COVID-19 Guidance for Service Providers

    Harm Reduction and COVID-19 Guidance for Service Providers

    Alberta health services covid guidance, Alberta health services covid guidance

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    “This guidance document for community service providers was prepared by the Alberta Health Services (AHS) Harm Reduction Services Team in partnership with the Alberta Community Council on HIV (ACCH). It covers information on how community services may alter harm reduction practices during the COVID-19 pandemic with the goal of reducing the spread of COVID-19. This information can also be used by service providers to communicate information and education on reducing spread of COVID-19 while maintaining health and wellness along the spectrum of substance use.”

  • Changes to drug supply, access to services and resulting health harms

    Changes to drug supply, access to services and resulting health harms

    changes to drug supply covid-19 changes to drug supply covid-19

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    “This alert is based on information collected by the Canadian Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (CCENDU) between March 31 and May 10, 2020. It focuses on the impact of containment efforts related to COVID-19 on the illegal drug supply and access to services, and the associated health harms. Although there were limited data sensitive to these changes collected systematically, there was a convergence of reports from multiple sources in several regions across Canada, so that CCSA and CCENDU judged it better to share imperfect, timely information than no information.”

    Source: Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction

  • COVID-19 and the drug supply chain: from production and trafficking to use

    COVID-19 and the drug supply chain: from production and trafficking to use

    UNODC covid 19 research UNODC covid 19 research

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    “The COVID-19 crisis is taking its toll on the global economy, public health and our way of life. The virus has now infected more than 3.6 million people worldwide, killed 250,000 and led Governments to take drastic measures to limit the spread of coronavirus disease 2019. Roughly half of the global population is living under mobility restrictions, international border crossings have been closed and economic activity has declined drastically, as many countries have opted for the closure of non- essential businesses.

    Drug trafficking relies heavily on legal trade to camouflage its activities and on individuals being able to distribute drugs to consumers. The measures implemented by Governments to counter the COVID- 19 pandemic have thus inevitably affected all aspects of the illegal drug markets, from the production and trafficking of drugs to their consumption.”

    Source: United Nations Office and Drugs and Crime

  • How to make cloth face masks to slow the spread of COVID-19

    How to make cloth face masks to slow the spread of COVID-19

    how to make cloth face masks how to make cloth face masks

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    “CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

    CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.”

    Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US)

  • Risk Mitigation in the Context of Duel Public Health Emergencies

    Risk Mitigation in the Context of Duel Public Health Emergencies

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    This guidance aims to support individuals who may be at increased risk of overdose, withdrawal, craving, and other harms related to their substance use. As the effects of the pandemic continue, the drug supply may become significantly more adulterated and toxic, based on limited importation and availability, and illicit substances may become significantly more diffcult to procure.

    Individuals seeking illicit substances to prevent withdrawal risk both overdose and exposure to and transmission of COVID-19. Individuals with unstable housing (those who are homeless or living in a shelter, single room occupancy (SRO), or supported housing unit) may face additional challenges physical distancing or self-isolating, in order to reduce community spread of COVID-19.

  • COVID-19 and Ceremonial Spiritual Practices

    COVID-19 and Ceremonial Spiritual Practices

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    Participating in ceremonies and spiritual practices can be an important part of First Nations individual, family, and community health.

    These guidelines were developed with consultation from public health professionals, First Nations health professionals and Knowledge Keepers / Traditional Healers.

  • COVID-19 HIV Services for People Who Use Drugs

    COVID-19 HIV Services for People Who Use Drugs

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  • What People Living with HIV Need to Know About HIV and COVID-19

    What People Living with HIV Need to Know About HIV and COVID-19

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    It’s important to underline that there is currently no strong evidence that people living with HIV are at an especially increased risk of contracting COVID-19 or if they do contract it they will experience a worse outcome.

    This does not mean that people living with HIV should take COVID-19 lightly and they must take all precautions to protect themselves. As in the general population, older people living with HIV or people living with HIV with heart or lung problems may be at a higher risk of becoming infected with the virus and of suffering more serious symptoms.

  • Guidance on Contingency Planning for People who use Drugs and COVID-19

    Guidance on Contingency Planning for People who use Drugs and COVID-19

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    This guidance was drafted by the Scottish Drugs Forum in collaboration with the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Prevention Leads Network, co-ordinated by the Scottish Health Protection Network.

    Disclaimer COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving pandemic with national advice and guidance updated regularly. This document is accurate at the point of publication and will be reviewed regularly and updates issued as and when required.