A groundbreaking study conducted by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control has unveiled a significant decrease in mortality rates and overdoses among drug users in British Columbia through the prescription of medical-grade opioids. Published in the British Medical Journal, the study is the first of its kind in North America, providing clinical guidance for prescribing pharmaceutical alternatives to individuals at risk of death from the toxic drug supply.
Revolutionizing Treatment in B.C.
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control’s study, examining anonymized health-care data of 5,882 individuals with opioid or stimulant use disorder, showcases a revolutionary approach to combating overdose deaths. Those prescribed pharmaceutical-grade opioids under the B.C. Risk Mitigation Guide experienced a 61% lower risk of death from any cause the following week, with a 55% reduced likelihood of overdose-related deaths.
The study focused on individuals who filled prescriptions under the B.C. Risk Mitigation Guide, comparing them to a similar group without medication under the program. Results indicated a direct correlation between the number of days opioid medications were accessed and the reduction in mortality risk. Those receiving four or more days of prescription opioids were 91% less likely to die from any cause and 89% less likely to succumb to overdose in the subsequent week.
Health professionals involved in the study emphasize its significance in establishing safe supply as a viable strategy to substantially reduce overdose deaths. Paxton Bach, a specialist in addictions medicine at St. Paul’s Hospital and co-author of the study, labels the findings as a “watershed publication” with immense potential to transform overdose prevention strategies.
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Record-High Overdose Deaths in B.C.
The study’s release comes amid a concerning surge in overdose deaths in British Columbia, with 13,112 fatalities reported since the declaration of a public health emergency. The study underscores the urgent need for innovative approaches to combat the opioid crisis and offers hope for effective harm reduction.
While concerns about potential diversion or sharing of prescription opioids persist, the study’s design does not confirm whether users took the drugs as intended. Despite this, experts emphasize the compelling testament to the intervention’s potential to save lives, providing reassurance to those skeptical of safer supply programs. The study’s implications urge leaders to consider evidence and insights from those with lived experiences in shaping public policy surrounding opioid prescription and harm reduction strategies.
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