Understanding the Link Between Housing and Drug Use: Findings from a Survey of People Who Use Drugs in a Mid-Size Canadian City.

BACKGROUND

This article investigates the potential links between housing instability and unregulated drug use at the intersection of the housing affordability crisis, drug poisoning emergency, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Data for this study were collected as part of an Edmonton, Alberta survey of people who use drugs (N = 406, April-September 2023). This study examines the associations between housing instability, the severity of individual drug use patterns, as measured through the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) score, and the risk of accidental overdose using a series of linear and logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Results indicate that precarious housing conditions were linked to a higher risk of unregulated drug use across respondents. Being unhoused or living in unstable housing was associated with higher DUDIT scores and an increased probability of accidental overdose. In addition, individuals who reported worsening housing situations during COVID-19 were more likely to report increased drug use.

CONCLUSIONS

Contributing to the literature on social determinants of health, findings suggest that integrated housing and drug use interventions are vital for effective harm reduction and the promotion of public health.