Research summary
Canada has struggled with an opioid crisis for a number of years. A particular challenge when it comes to treatment is that sufferers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Dr. Eugenia Oviedo-Joekes, Canada Research Chair in Person Centred Innovation in Addictions and Public Health, is investigating how our health-care systems can best address the diverse range of people who struggle with opioid use.
The fact that the opioid crisis has continued even though access to medications and harm reduction programs have been greatly expanded highlights the need for more innovative treatment options. Oviedo-Joekes and her research team hope to pioneer new approaches, such as injectable opioid agonist treatments. Their work also recognizes the need to adapt programs to improve treatment uptake and effectiveness for each individual.