Ontario Drug Policy Research Network
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odprn.bsky.social
Ontario Drug Policy Research Network
@odprn.bsky.social
330 followers 69 following 160 posts
The Ontario Drug Policy Research Network provides timely, high quality drug policy research impacting societal outcomes & improving healthcare systems
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odprn.bsky.social
Recent study shows that 60% of patients who began take-home methadone during the first month of COVID-19 returned to daily supervised dosing within six months, highlighting the need to better understand how prescriber and clinic factors influence take-home decisions.

odprn.ca/research/pub...
#NAAW
November 21, 2025 at 6:54 PM
odprn.bsky.social
A recent ODPRN study analyzing provincial harm reduction supply distribution revealed that public health units with the highest rates of opioid-related mortality also had among the highest distribution levels of harm reduction supplies.

odprn.ca/research/pub...
November 20, 2025 at 8:17 PM
odprn.bsky.social
The EMS opioid response dashboard has been updated on the Ontario Opioid Indicator Tool with new Q2 2025 data.

Overall, the rate of suspected opioid toxicities treated by EMS in Ontario increased in Q2 2025 compared to Q1, although trends differed across regions.

odprn.ca/ontario-opio...
November 19, 2025 at 3:54 PM
odprn.bsky.social
New research highlights: Starting OAT after a hospital-treated opioid toxicity significantly lowers the risk of a repeat overdose.

odprn.ca/research/pub...

@icesontario.bsky.social @unityhealthto.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 2:34 PM
odprn.bsky.social
October data on #opioid-related deaths in #Ontario from the OCC is now available.

🚨There were 206 suspect drug-related deaths reported in October 2025 in Ontario.

Data available for download at odprn.ca/occ-opioid-a...
November 17, 2025 at 3:47 PM
odprn.bsky.social
At the ODPRN, we’re committed to generating research that informs clinical and policy decisions to support the wellness of people who use drugs. During #NAAW, we recognize the importance of lived experience in shaping compassionate, effective responses.

#OUD #AddictionsAwareness #NAAW2025
November 17, 2025 at 3:28 PM
odprn.bsky.social
NEW ODPRN study shows high variability in harm reduction supply distribution and opioid-related mortality across Public Health Units (PHUs) in Ontario.

odprn.ca/research/pub...

@icesontario.bsky.social @unityhealthto.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 8:14 PM
odprn.bsky.social
NEW ODPRN study found that nearly 60% of patients who began take-home methadone treatment during the first month of COVID-19 switched back to daily supervised dosing within 6 months.

Learn more at odprn.ca/research/pub...

@icesontario.bsky.social @unityhealthto.bsky.social

#methadone #OAT
November 10, 2025 at 3:26 PM
odprn.bsky.social
New 2025 Q2 data on #opioid-related deaths in #Ontario from the OCC is now available.

Note that the decrease in Q1&Q2 2025 reflects the continuation of a trend that began in Q3 2024.

Data available for download at odprn.ca/occ-opioid-a...
November 5, 2025 at 5:27 PM
odprn.bsky.social
“Opioids have a place in clinical practice, but it’s really about making sure that when they are accessed, [...] people have tried other alternatives, and that they’re prescribed as low dose and short a time period as possible”-Tara Gomes @theglobeandmail.com www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Canada needs to tackle escalating opioid use among young people, doctors say
Physicians fear the crisis will continue to get worse for decades if immediate action is not taken
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Reposted by Ontario Drug Policy Research Network
unityhealthto.bsky.social
The use of prescription #opioids to treat acute pain has decreased in Canada in recent years. But there’s still a need for national information on prescription opioid use specific to different populations. Read the study led by St. Michael’s researchers here: unityhealth.to/2025/10/opio... @cmaj.ca
October 28, 2025 at 9:24 PM
odprn.bsky.social
"The vast majority of those deaths are happening among people who are not getting prescribed those opioids but who are accessing the illicit drug supply" - @taragomes.bsky.social talks about our recent study on prescription opioid use for pain in with @thestar.com

www.thestar.com/news/canada/...
Opioid prescriptions are going down in Canada, a new study finds. Here’s why
The study reflects “efforts that have been made to promote this more careful and appropriate prescribing across the country,” author says.
www.thestar.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:09 PM
odprn.bsky.social
NEW ODPRN Town Hall report on pharmacists providing Minor Ailments Services in Ontario

Read the report + listen to the audio clips from 6 of the individuals who shared live during the Town Hall.

odprn.ca/town-halls/m...

#minorailments #pharmacistprescribing #pharmacy
October 30, 2025 at 5:01 PM
odprn.bsky.social
‼️ APPLICATIONS CLOSE TONIGHT ‼️

Don't forget to submit your application to the FREE ODPRN student training program!

Apply at odprn.ca/about-us/stu...
October 28, 2025 at 2:23 PM
odprn.bsky.social
New study examined trends in prescription opioid dispensing for pain across Canada and found declines that aligned with national efforts to promote more appropriate opioid use for pain management.

odprn.ca/research/pub...

@icesontario.bsky.social
@inesss.qc.ca
@unityhealthto.bsky.social
October 27, 2025 at 6:54 PM
odprn.bsky.social
The latest Patented Medicine Prices Review Board CompassRx report shows that public drug plan prescription expenditures grew by 7.4% in 2022/23, reaching $14.1 billion.

Details available from the Government of Canada at
www.canada.ca/en/patented-...
Canadian public drug plan spending grew by $3.4 billion over 5 years, driven by use of higher-cost drugs - Canada.ca
The latest edition of the PMPRB CompassRx report shows that prescription drug expenditure for public drug plans grew by 7.4% in 2022/23 to reach $14.1 billion, compared to $13.2 billion in 2021/22.
www.canada.ca
October 24, 2025 at 5:23 PM
odprn.bsky.social
Check out our student training program, applications close October 28!

odprn.ca/about-us/stu...
October 22, 2025 at 6:49 PM
odprn.bsky.social
Health Canada has approved an exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) for DIY Community Health to operate a drug checking service in Timmins, which aims to provide more locally accurate data regarding the toxic drug crisis.

#timmins

www.timminspress.com/news/new-ini...
New initiative for testing local drug supply
DIY Community Health receives clearance from Health Canada to collect local samples
www.timminspress.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Reposted by Ontario Drug Policy Research Network
pittcp3.bsky.social
New study co-authored by CP3’s Dr. Katie Suda found that antibiotic durations for common infections in older adults are often longer than guidelines recommend, highlighting opportunities to reduce overuse and improve antimicrobial stewardship.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41050542/
October 21, 2025 at 5:06 PM
odprn.bsky.social
⌛ Less than 2 weeks left to apply to the ODPRN Student Training Program!

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to network with leaders in the field of drug policy research and earn a certificate through the ODPRN.

There is no cost to participate in this program!

odprn.ca/about-us/stu...
October 17, 2025 at 3:56 PM
odprn.bsky.social
We are excited to announce our new website is now live!

Check it out at odprn.ca
October 16, 2025 at 4:49 PM
odprn.bsky.social
Check out our latest research minute highlighting our new study on the effectiveness and safety of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) use among individuals with atrial fibrillation.

odprn.ca/research/pub...

#atrialfibrillation #doac

@icesontario.bsky.social @unityhealthto.bsky.social
October 10, 2025 at 4:20 PM
odprn.bsky.social
Findings from our new study support the real-world effectiveness and safety of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) use among individuals with atrial fibrillation.

odprn.ca/research/pub...
October 8, 2025 at 8:06 PM
odprn.bsky.social
There is still time to apply for the student training program!

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn and network with expert researchers and ministry representatives in the field of drug policy.

⏳Deadline to apply is October 28

odprn.ca/about-us/stu...
October 8, 2025 at 1:11 PM
odprn.bsky.social
“Clearly there’s disproportionate harm among First Nations People, clearly they are accessing treatment, but perhaps not always in the best way or a way that is supportive of them,” - @taragomes.bsky.social

@chiefsofontario.bsky.social
@ijbstories.bsky.social

ijb.utoronto.ca/news/governm...
Ontario opioid deaths nine times higher among First Nations people amid questions over treatment - Investigative Journalism Bureau
The treatment meant to save Niibin Pahpeguish’s life began to feel like a prison. After almost a decade battling an addiction that began with prescribed painkillers and later escalated to street opioi...
ijb.utoronto.ca
October 7, 2025 at 1:57 PM