Study shows unique addiction program for women works

published on November 25, 2012

A scientific evaluation of the Downtown Eastside’s unique women-only drug treatment program — one that is being threatened with closure at the end of November — shows that it has been remarkably successful in recruiting the most vulnerable women in the neighbourhood and reducing their overall drug use.

But Vancouver Coastal Health is dismissing those results and believes that the large involvement of the PHS (Portland Hotel Society) Community Services Society in the evaluation — which operates the program alongside the health authority — has biased the results.

The study by the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and PHS has not yet been formally made public, but is already on the Internet.

The evaluation of the Rainier Women’s Treatment Program shows that it has not only helped women address their addictions but has also diagnosed health conditions women were unaware of before therapy and reduced health risks associated with drug use. Additionally, the program has successfully connected its residents to community services they can continue to use after completing treatment.

The study also shows that the Rainier stands out when compared with another Greater Vancouver addiction centre.

Tags:

Our work serves clients and communities across British Columbia on lands and waters cared for and nurtured by the many distinct First Nations across the province. The BC-CfE humbly and gratefully acknowledge the stewards of these lands, particularly the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) on whose unceded, traditional and ancestral territories our offices are located.

© Copyright BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
St. Paul's Hospital 608–1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6
Tel: 604-806-8477 | Fax: 604-806-9044
General inquiries: info@bccfe.ca
Media inquiries: communications@bccfe.ca
(Please do not use any of these email addresses to send personal information or book an appointment. To book appointments or contact the H2H clinic, please call 604-416-1517 or fax: 604-564-4893. Do not send your or your client's personal information via email.)

© Copyright BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
St. Paul's Hospital 608–1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6
Tel: 604-806-8477 | Fax: 604-806-9044
General inquiries: info@bccfe.ca
Media inquiries: communications@bccfe.ca
(Please do not use any of these email addresses to send personal information or book an appointment. To book appointments or contact the H2H clinic, please call 604-416-1517 or fax: 604-564-4893. Do not send your or your client's personal information via email.)

Our work serves clients and communities across British Columbia on lands and waters cared for and nurtured by the many distinct First Nations across the province. The BC-CfE humbly and gratefully acknowledge the stewards of these lands, particularly the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) on whose unceded, traditional and ancestral territories our offices are located.