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Side by Side Study

Overview

The Side by Side Study is a longitudinal qualitative and ethnographic study that follows the care experiences of young people who use crystal methamphetamine and other stimulants. By working alongside youth over time, we are learning how they navigate changing treatment and care systems—and what meaningful support looks like from their perspectives.

 

Rather than viewing stimulant use only through risks and harms, the study examines its varied roles in young people’s lives, including connection, pleasure, coping, self-protection and managing the use of other substances.

 

Through the Youth Health Advisory Council Field School, youth with lived and living experience also teach students, fellows and university-trained researchers how to conduct better research. The Field School emphasizes trust, safety, accessibility, fair compensation and meaningful youth involvement. It reminds us that good research depends on relationships, reciprocity, accountability and a willingness to change how research is done based on what young people teach us.

 

What we’re exploring

  • How young people’s care strategies and pathways evolve over time
  • How stimulant use takes on different meanings in young people’s lives
  • How services can be improved through youth-engaged research
  • How research can better honour youth autonomy, safety and expertise

 

The Side by Side Study is co-led by Dr. Danya Fast (Foundry Research Scientist and Associate Professor at University of British Columbia) and Directions Youth Services at Family Services of Greater Vancouver. The study is conducted in collaboration with the Youth Health Advisory, Teen and Families Councils and Youth and Family Researchers.

Funders

This project is funded by a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and a grant from the Vancouver Foundation. 

Resources