Research

Alberta 2SLGBTQIA+ Substance Use Survey

Check out the findings from the first Alberta-wide study on 2S/LGBTQIA+ substance use

In 2018, QTHC conducted a small-scale survey of substance use among gay and bi men who have sex with men (gbMSM) in Edmonton to inform our Peer N Peer (PNP) program. 

In 2023, we developed a new, updated community survey that provides a current snapshot of substance use among the broader 2S/LGBTQIA+ community in Alberta. The online survey consisted of around 100 questions developed with direction from PNP’s Community Advisory Team.

We are excited to share our results with the community.

A person with bright pink hair holding a syringe, wearing a nurse hat, pink top, and zebra print dress, with an orange and yellow background.
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Download the Summaries to Learn More

Reasons for Substance Use Among 2S/LGBTQIA+ Albertans
Harm Reduction Supports and Services
What Our Community Wants
The Need for Accessible Mental Health Supports

Full Report

This report presents a summary of:

  • What substances are being used in the 2S/LGBTQIA+ community 

  • What frequency substances are being used 

  • The reasons our community members have for using different substances

  • Community members’ personal substance use goals 

  • Community knowledge and use of harm reduction services, 

  • Barriers the community faces in finding support

  • Perspectives on what kinds of harm reduction services and information are most needed 

The aim of this report is to share our findings with service providers and others working in both the harm reduction and 2S/LGBTQIA+ sectors for capacity building. Having access to current, local knowledge produced by the community for the community will help us collectively develop and deliver programming best suited to meet community needs and advocate for the changes necessary to see 2S/LGBTQIA+ Albertans thrive.

While the results of this community survey point to some clear community needs and gaps in existing services, more research is needed with larger sample sizes to better understand the experiences of our community here in Alberta and across the country. It is our hope that this report will help inform the development of future programming and services designed to support and empower 2S/LGBTQIA+ substance users and will lead to a better understanding of the needs and desires of our community. 

Download the full report