Event-level outcomes of police interactions with young people in three non-metropolitan cities across British Columbia, Canada

Young People Who Use Drugs Views Toward the Power and Authority of Police Officers

“…The aim of this exploratory study was to examine experiences and views of police authority through the lens of young PWUD. Other research has shown that PWUD experience inequities due to intersecting social identities beyond their drug-using status, including homelessness, gender, race, and Indigeneity ( Card et al, 2021 ; Dhillon, 2015 ; Greer et al, 2021 ; Maher, 2004 ; Marshall, 2015 ; Pan et al, 2013 ). In the current study, we cannot meaningfully comment on significant differences across all these groups, although we did consider the role of intersectional vulnerabilities in the analysis and commented on these social identities where they were observed and relevant.…”

“…The structural vulnerability faced by PWUD can be exacerbated by intersecting social identities, such as overlapping vulnerabilities due to racial identity, Indigeneity, gender, sexuality, housing, and age ( Friedman et al, 2021 ). For instance, PWUD that are also young and homeless experience inequities that can result in regular harassment, targeting, and discrimination from police in the community ( Boyd et al, 2018 ; Card et al, 2021 ; Collins et al, 2019 ; Greer et al, 2018 ; Ti et al, 2013 ). In other studies, young Indigenous PWUD in Canada report negative experiences with police, including verbal, physical, and sexual police violence ( Pan et al, 2013 ; Selfridge et al, 2020 ).…”

“…In other studies, young Indigenous PWUD in Canada report negative experiences with police, including verbal, physical, and sexual police violence ( Pan et al, 2013 ; Selfridge et al, 2020 ). Some quantitative research further shows that young Indigenous PWUD in Canada are more likely to be targeted, handcuffed, or arrested than young white PWUD ( Card et al, 2021 ). Additional studies reinforce that the targeting and use of physical force by police experienced by young Indigenous PWUD in British Columbia creates strong reluctance to have any interactions with police ( Pan et al, 2013 ; Selfridge et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Young people who use drugs (PWUD) are a structurally vulnerable group due to social marginalization, criminalization, and stigma. In Canada, young PWUD often experience disproportionate targeting and interactions with police ( Card et al, 2021 ; Greer et al, 2020 , 2021 ; Ti et al, 2013 ). Studies show that they are targeted more than adults who use drugs ( Greer et al, 2018 ) and they report regular experiences of police targeting, harassment, and discrimination, particularly among those who are Indigenous ( Card et al, 2021 ; Pan et al, 2013 ).…”

“…In Canada, young PWUD often experience disproportionate targeting and interactions with police ( Card et al, 2021 ; Greer et al, 2020 , 2021 ; Ti et al, 2013 ). Studies show that they are targeted more than adults who use drugs ( Greer et al, 2018 ) and they report regular experiences of police targeting, harassment, and discrimination, particularly among those who are Indigenous ( Card et al, 2021 ; Pan et al, 2013 ). Some young PWUD even report experiencing physical, verbal, and sexual violence in police encounters, which are linked to sense of distrust and disdain toward law enforcement ( Greer et al, 2018 ; Selfridge et al, 2020 ; Pan et al, 2013 ).…”