Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · 15h

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...

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · 22h

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...

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · 1d

“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

1

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · 2d

“We need more resources, not fewer, to protect our people, safeguard our future, and provide the support essential for healing," - said Regional Chief Benedict, speaking about the ODPRN report in collaboration with @chiefsofontario.bsky.social

chiefs-of-ontario.org/first-nation...

First Nations people in Ontario disproportionately affected by opioid crisis, new report shows - Chiefs of Ontario

(Toronto, Ont.–Oct. 6, 2025) Opioids are killing and harming First Nations people in Ontario at an alarming rate much higher than non-First Nations people in the province, according to a new report re...

chiefs-of-ontario.org

1

Reposted by Ontario Drug Policy Research Network

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · 21d

The Drug Policy Student Training Program provides students with free access to online training and incredible networking opportunities with expert leaders in the field of drug policy. Applications for our 2026 cohort is open, apply today at odprn.ca/about-us/stu...

1

Reposted by Ontario Drug Policy Research Network

Institute for Pandemics @uoftpandemics.bsky.social · 12d

How do drug shortages affect medication use?

A study by Araniy Santhireswaran & Prof. Mina Tadrous @pharmacy.utoronto.ca reviewed studies on drug shortages & found that drug shortages often lead to significant reductions in drug utilization.

🔗Read more
bit.ly/4nRoc62

Screenshot of an academic paper titled "Impact of Supply Chain Disruptions and Drug Shortages on Drug Utilization: A Scoping Review." The paper is labeled as an "Original Article" and marked "Open Access." Authors listed are Araniy Santhireswaran, Shanzeh Chaudhry, Martin Ho, Kaitlin Fuller, Etienne Gaudette, Lisa Burry, and Mina Tadrous, each with superscript numbers indicating institutional affiliations.

1 1

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · 15d

Dashboards on the Ontario Opioid Indicator Tool has been updated with annual and monthly/quarterly data up to March 2025!

All data available at
odprn.ca/ontario-opio...

Reposted by Ontario Drug Policy Research Network

CADeN | ReCAD @caden-recad.bsky.social · 16d

💊 Taking multiple medications? 5 questions to ask

To mark Canadian Patient Safety Week, join our free webinar to learn 5 key questions to ask about your medications.

📅 Oct 29th at 12 PM ET (English) / 2 PM ET (French)
🔗 Register: deprescribingnetwork.ca/5q-webinar

Open to all audiences!

2 2

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · 19d

Ontario expands pharmacists’ scope and plans broader roles for optometrists, psychologists, physiotherapists & more. These changes aim to boost access, cut wait times & ease pressure on ERs and family doctors. #ONhealth #Pharmacy

news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...

Ontario Newsroom

news.ontario.ca

1

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · 21d

The Drug Policy Student Training Program provides students with free access to online training and incredible networking opportunities with expert leaders in the field of drug policy. Applications for our 2026 cohort is open, apply today at odprn.ca/about-us/stu...

1

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · 23d

August data on #opioid-related deaths in #Ontario from the OCC is now available.

🚨There were 198 suspect drug-related deaths reported in August 2025 in Ontario.

Data available for download at odprn.ca/occ-opioid-a...

1

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · 28d

New ODPRN study found that from Jan 2018 - Jun 2022, majority of alcohol toxicity deaths in Ontario occurred among men, people aged 25–44, in private residences, and involved other non-alcohol substances.

odprn.ca/research/pub...

1 2

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · Sep 3

Update from Toronto's Drug Checking Service shows carfentanil was found in 14% (18) of the fentanyl samples collected in Toronto - the most they have seen in a month to date.

View the data at: drugchecking.community

View their post at: www.instagram.com/p/DOJTpmWDq4J

2

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · Sep 2

The ODPRN is now accepting applications for our 2026 Drug Policy Student Training Program! Free access to online training and incredible networking opportunities with expert leaders in the field of drug policy.

To learn more and apply, visit: odprn.ca/about-the-od...

1

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · Sep 1

For #ioad, we highlight the voices of people with lived experience, frontline harm reduction workers, healthcare providers, researchers, and members of community organizations that provide services for people who use drugs.

odprn.ca/research/pub...

#ioad2025 #opioiduse #oud #drugtoxicitycrisis

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · Aug 28

Leading up to #IOAD2025, we want to highlight research on Safer opioid supply (SOS). Here we found that SOS and methadone were associated with improved health outcomes, including reduced toxicities and healthcare use.

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

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · Aug 26

PHO added some of ODPRN's indicators to their Substance Use and Harms Tool!
ODPRN's Opioid Indicator Tool will also be updated with new data in September.

www.publichealthontario.ca/en/data-and-...

Substance Use and Harms Tool | Public Health Ontario

Provides epidemiological information on substance use and harms data in Ontario. Users can explore the most recent 10 years of data for emergency department visits, hospitalizations and deaths. Result...

www.publichealthontario.ca

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · Aug 20

Quarterly summaries of opioid-related mortality in Ontario up to Q1 2025 now available on the ODPRN website!

- Rates continue to be highest in northern PHU regions
- Fentanyl continues to contribute to the majority deaths

More information available at odprn.ca/occ-opioid-a...

1

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · Aug 18

New ODPRN study finds a decrease in overall prescribing rates of opioids for pain and concurrent benzodiazepine use among First Nations People living in Ontario.

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

@chiefsofontario.bsky.social @cjphrcsp.bsky.social

1

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · Aug 18

July data on #opioid-related deaths in #Ontario from the OCC is now available.

🚨In the past 3 months, there were 605 suspect drug-related deaths in Ontario.

Data available for download at odprn.ca/occ-opioid-a...

1

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · Aug 15

NEW ODPRN study evaluated methadone treatment trends and found higher starting doses and an increased use of combination therapy with slow-release oral morphine (SROM).

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

odprn.ca/wp-content/u...

2 4

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · Aug 14

One day left to apply!

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · Jul 29

We are currently seeking a Research Coordinator II (Epidemiologist) for a temporary full-time position (18 months).

This position offers a dynamic and rewarding opportunity to contribute to impactful drug policy research in a collaborative environment.

Learn more at odprn.ca/get-involved...

1 1

Reposted by Ontario Drug Policy Research Network

Canada Healthwatch 🍁 @canadahealthwatch.ca · Jul 24

Canada facing nationwide shortages of Percocet, T3s https://globalnews.ca/news/11302308/painkillers-drug-shortage-acetaminophen/

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca 🍁

This Aug. 15, 2017, file photo shows an arrangement of pills of the opioid oxycodone-acetaminophen in New York.

1 3 6

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · Aug 8

Study Spotlight!

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, only 1 in 10 opioid-related deaths in Ontario involved solely pharmaceutical opioids, marking a shift toward unregulated drug supply involvement.

Read the full report: odprn.ca/research/pub...

1

Ontario Drug Policy Research Network @odprn.bsky.social · Aug 6

NEW ODPRN study, building off of a previous report, shows that COVID-19 led to a rapid increase of opioid-related toxicity deaths within Ontario shelters and found notable shifts in the circumstances surrounding deaths.

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