Process and Outcome of Community Engagement Event on Substance Use and Addiction Risks Facing Their Immigrant Communities in Regina, Saskatchewan

Abstract

Canada is a significant destination for immigrants who are drawn from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds some of whom have a hidden risk for substance use disorders due to acculturation stress and are not screened for risks of substance use or addiction when considering medical admissibility. Not surprisingly, healthcare providers in Regina are reporting a noticeable increase in substance use among immigrants. These immigrants experience barriers in seeking substance use prevention and treatment services due to diverse challenges: stigma, shame, and lack of knowledge of existing services. Considering the discussed challenges and risks of substance use disorders in immigrant communities, creating a safe space for discussing these topics is urgent. To understand and address these challenges, a connection grant from the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) to mobilize immigrant communities in Regina to explore substance use issues and their impact on the community was sought and received. Subsequently, a Zoom knowledge-sharing event brought settlement agency stakeholders together to deliberate issues on substance use and addiction faced by immigrants in Regina, Saskatchewan. The Zoom session included presentations on immigrants and substance use from the clinical, community, and lived experience perspectives of immigrants. Because of the challenges and risks, this community consultation process revealed that acculturation stress and the ease of obtaining socially acceptable substances fuel substance use and addiction among immigrants in Regina; this is further exacerbated by the lack of programming available to prevent and reduce the risks of substance use in this population. A team of knowledge keepers with lived experiences, service providers, and researchers was assembled to explore substance use and addiction among immigrants. This manuscript reports the process of community engagement to identify solutions to this budding issue. The strengths, challenges, and lessons learned are identified.

Tailoring the continuum of care for substance use problems to persons with an Islamic migration background: a co-creative case study

“…Last, while incorporating academic knowledge in the co-creative research process has its advantages to come to a multilayered understanding of the phenomenon, it may also increase confirmation of what already exists, rather than truly centralizing lived experiences (45). Therefore, we further encourage bringing marginalized voices of persons with lived experiences to the fore in research, policy and practice, with a critical self-analysis of how to represent these voices and collaborate with their owners (51,83).…”

“…The involvement of a recovery-supportive social network in substance use treatment has proven to be of major importance for recovery, also for Arafat: as a source of motivation, as support and as a continuous presence in his life (31,82). However, involving the network of persons with an Islamic background in substance use treatment may require some extra effort, given barriers such as language, the stigma surrounding substance use and treatment, distrust toward mainstream health care and practical barriers due to socio-economic reasons (18,83).…”

“…Increased continuity of care can also facilitate a smooth transition from residential treatment settings to home environments (88). We agreed on the responsibility of substance use treatment to collaborate with social and community networks in order to facilitate the transition process after treatment, as well as on the importance of stigma-decreasing initiatives in religious communities and society to build recovery-supportive environments (28,79,83).…”

The Stigma of Substance Use and Addiction Among Filipino Immigrants and in the Philippines

“…In a recent article, Maina et al 1 identified the critical issues about substance use and addiction faced by immigrants in Canada, including Filipinos. Among these issues, they highlighted that stigma remains one of the substantial barriers to help-seeking for substance use and addiction among immigrants.…”

“…Among these issues, they highlighted that stigma remains one of the substantial barriers to help-seeking for substance use and addiction among immigrants. 1 In this paper, I expound on the social, cultural, and religious underpinnings of substance use and addiction stigma and their implications among Filipinos as they migrate from the Philippines. I also argue for several interventions that can be used to address substance use among Filipino immigrants.…”