Table 2 Barriers to accessing SSF and changes to harm reduction practices with COVID-19 pandemic onset, Vancouver, Canada (2020), n = 175^

SSF usage

 ≥ Daily SSF usage (past 14 days)

107 (65.2)

Reported SSF usage since COVID-19

 Increased

70 (44.6)

 No change

61 (38.9)

 Decreased

26 (16.6)

SSF access issues

 Ever had issues accessing SSF

116 (72.5)

Reason for SSF access issues*

 Wait too long

80 (45.7)

 Closed

69 (39.4)

 Poor weather

38 (21.7)

 COVID-19 concerns

29 (16.6)

Reported harm reduction practice changes since COVID-19*

 Used SSF

68 (38.9)

 Did not share equipment

67 (38.3)

 Accessed safe supply

63 (36.0)

 Cleaned supplies/surfaces

58 (33.1)

 Stocked up on harm reduction supplies

58 (33.1)

 Got drugs checked

55 (31.4)

 Carried naloxone

48 (27.4)

 Used more slowly

32 (18.3)

 Used less drugs

27 (15.4)

Reported changes in mental health since COVID-19

 Much better

3 (1.9)

 Somewhat better

11 (7.1)

 About the same

63 (40.7)

 Somewhat worse

42 (27.1)

 Much worse

36 (23.2)

Reported changes in community connection since COVID-19

 Less connected

70 (47.3)

 Stayed the same

57 (38.5)

 More connected

21 (14.2)