Navigating Opioid Agonist Therapy among Young People who use Illicit Opioids in Vancouver, Canada

Original research
by
Pilarinos, Andreas et al

Release Date

2022

Geography

Canada

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

Many young people are not accessing OAT. This study sought to explore how young people navigated OAT over time, including periods of engagement, disengagement, and avoidance.

Findings/Key points

Findings underscore the importance of working collaboratively with young people to develop treatment plans and timelines, and suggest that OAT engagement and retention among young people could be improved by expanding access to the full range of OAT; updating clinical guidelines to improve access to safer prescription alternatives to the increasingly poisonous, unregulated drug supply; addressing treatment gaps arising from missed doses and take-home dosing; and providing a clear pathway to OAT tapering.

Design/methods

Semi-structured, in-depth qualitative interviews (n=56)

Keywords

Safer supply
About PWUD
Youth
Substitution/OAT
Transitions in care/treatment
Barriers and enablers
Illegal drugs