Overview
The toxic unregulated drug supply has made overdose a leading cause of death among young people. Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, unstably housed and unhoused youth experience disproportionate harms shaped by historical and ongoing structural inequities.
The Youth Overdose Prevention Research Cluster brings together leaders in research, health care, community services, policy, and advocacy to advance more effective and equitable approaches to youth overdose prevention.
Guided by “Nothing About Us Without Us,” the Cluster places youth and families and caregivers with lived and living experience at the centre of its leadership and work. Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and harm reduction leaders provide cultural wisdom and guidance, helping ensure that the work recognizes colonial harms and responds to the strengths and priorities of Indigenous communities.
What we’re working toward
- Developing practical, youth-centred approaches to overdose prevention
- Closing gaps in treatment, harm reduction, and health care
- Supporting Indigenous-led and culturally grounded responses
- Turning research and lived expertise into changes in policy and frontline care
The Cluster is co-led by Dr. Danya Fast (Foundry Research Scientist and Associate Professor at University of British Columbia) and Dr. Matthew Carwana (Pediatrician at BC Children’s Hospital and Clinical Assistant Professor at University of British Columbia), with Knowledge Keeper Candice Norris of the Cree and Dene Peoples and Peer Engagement and Harm Reduction Expert Kali-olt Sedgemore from the ʼNa̱mg̱is Nation.
Funders
This work is funded by the UBC Vice President, Research and Innovation Office – Grants for Catalyzing Research Clusters program.