Join us on Thursday, February 15th at 12pm PT | 3pm ET to learn about this important retrospective cohort study that was published in the BMJ in January 2024. The aim of the study was 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.

Read the full peer-reviewed journal article here.

Our Presenters

• Brittany Barker
• Karen Urbanoski

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.