This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the effect of opioid and stimulant Risk Mitigation Guidance (RMG) dispensations on mortality and acute care visits during the dual public health emergencies of overdose and COVID-19. The study found that RMG opioid dispensations were associated with reduced overdose related and all cause mortality among a sample of people with opioid use disorder, and demonstrates that pharmaceutical alternatives to the illegal drug supply are promising interventions to reduce mortality in people with opioid use disorder.
Also Available
- Presentation slide deck (to come)
- Full peer-reviewed journal article
- Press release
- Evidence summary (PDF)
- Presentation by Bohdan Nosyk addressing some methodology questions (YouTube; jumps to the section on OAT co-prescription)
Our Presenters
Brittany Barker is a Senior Scientist, Health Surveillance with the First Nations Health Authority and a Research Scientist with the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU)
Karen Urbanoski is a Scientist with the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research and Associate Professor in Public Health and Social Policy at the University of Victoria. She holds the Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Substance Use, Addictions and Health Services Research. Her research program is focused on the social determinants of substance-related problems and how these affect access to services and health. Karen is currently co-leading an evaluation of the implementation and impacts of prescribed safer supply in British Columbia.
