The BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) received additional funding from the Government of B.C. to support the centre’s work – education and training, research and evaluation, and clinical care guidance related to problematic substance use. The centre has established a network of clinicians, educators and researchers from across the province aimed at strengthening the provincial system of care for people struggling with problematic substance use.

Guidelines for staff

As part of its early work, and released today, the BCCSU has developed a clinical treatment guideline for opioid use disorder for doctors and nurse practitioners. The guideline will come into effect in June.

What the Centre will do

The BCCSU will also develop a robust set of supports to address opioid and other substance use disorders. This will include overseeing training and monitoring of opioid substitution treatment prescribers. At the same time, the College will enhance its focus on monitoring opioid prescriptions and other medications at risk of diversion or non-medical use. The BCCSU’s new role will support the implementation of best practices across the addiction treatment continuum, from acute care through to recovery, as well as routine health system monitoring and evaluation in this area.

What the Centre has done

Since October 2016, the BCCSU has hosted six training sessions throughout the province with more than 550 health-care providers on how to treat patients who struggle with opioid addiction. Over that period, it has also hosted several provincial community engagement sessions with provincial groups representing people who use drugs, people in recovery and families affected by drug use and overdoses.

Visit the BC Government website to read the full news announcement.