Journal article
A Preliminary Assessment of Short-Term Social and Substance Use-Related Outcomes Among Clients of Integrated Safer Opioid Supply Pilot Programs in Toronto, Canada
International journal of mental health and addiction
22 Dec 2023
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Abstract Canada is experiencing an ongoing overdose crisis, driven by a toxic unregulated drug supply. Integrated safer supply pilot programs offer pharmaceutical alternatives, coupled with comprehensive support services, to individuals using unregulated drug supply who are at high risk of overdose. We collected data from December 2020 to January 2023 on clients receiving safer opioid supply from five frontline service providers in Toronto, Canada, using interviewer-administered questionnaires. We assessed the incidence rate ratio of self-reported overdose comparing pre- and post-enrolment in the programs and examined changes in the prevalence of social and substance use outcomes post-enrolment. Forty-one participants were recruited, of whom 26 were followed up for a median of eight months (interquartile range, 5.0–11.7). The incidence rate ratio of overdose comparing post-enrolment to pre-enrolment was 0.20 (95% confidence interval, 0.09–0.43). Participants reported several positive social and substance use outcomes at follow-up, including a reduction in reliance on the unregulated supply and reduced criminal activity. Future implementation of integrated safer opioid supply pilot programs with larger sample sizes and rigorous epidemiological designs could help further illustrate the potential impacts of these programs in reducing overdose rates in Canada.
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Details
- Title
- A Preliminary Assessment of Short-Term Social and Substance Use-Related Outcomes Among Clients of Integrated Safer Opioid Supply Pilot Programs in Toronto, Canada
- Creators
- Frishta Nafeh - Public Health OntarioTinkhani Mbichila - St. Michael's HospitalZachary Bouck - University of TorontoAyden Scheim - Drexel UniversitySanjana Mitra - St Michael's HospitalMatthew BonnFranky MorrisKate Atkinson - Regent Park Community Health CentreKate Mason - Regent Park Community Health CentreJolene Eeuwes - St. Michael's HospitalCarol Strike - University of TorontoTara Gomes - University of TorontoDan Werb - University of California San DiegoMohammad Karamouzian - Public Health Ontario
- Publication Details
- International journal of mental health and addiction
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001130296000001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85180428262
- Other Identifier
- 991021815015304721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Psychiatry
- Psychology, Clinical
- Substance Abuse