Original research
by
Reddon, Hudson et al
Release Date
2018
Geography
Canada
Language of Resource
English
Full Text Available
Yes
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
No
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Objective
Recent studies have found that methadone was identified in more than a quarter of prescription opioid-related deaths among people who use illicit drugs in Vancouver, Canada. Thus, we sought to longitudinally examine the availability of diverted methadone among people who inject drugs (PWID).
Findings/Key points
We observed a significant increase in the reported availability of diverted methadone among PWID over a ten-year follow-up period. Further research is needed to identify strategies to limit methadone diversion and assess the impact of alternative medications that are equally effective but safer, such as buprenorphine/naloxone.
Design/methods
n=2092 Data were collected from three prospective cohorts of PWID in Vancouver, Canada between December 2005 and May 2015.
Keywords
Evidence base
Harm reduction
Safer supply
About prescribers
Substitution/OAT
Diversion
