Ontario Drug Policy Research Network

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Ontario Drug Policy Research Network

The ODPRN is a network of researchers who provide timely, high quality, drug policy research

The ODPRN has the capacity to conduct research to determine the real-work drug utilization, safety, effectiveness, and costs of drugs on Ontario, and have development partnerships that allow us to engage in cross-provincial comparisons of drug safety and utilization

The ODPRN is comprised of four units:
1. Rapid Response Unit (RRU), whose primary function is to work with policy-makers to efficiently respond to research questons using linked population-level information

2. Stakeholder Advisory Panel (SAP), which collaborates with the RRU in fulfilling policy-maker research requests, as well as addressing their own research questions through traditional academic research

3. The Formulary Modernization Unit (FMU), whose function is to synthesize effectiveness, safety, contextual and econmic data on specific drug classes to generate policy recommendations for updating Ontario's drug formulary

4. The Knowledge Translation Unit (KTU), which disseminates the ODPRN's research findings to target knowledge users and stakeholders, including policy-makers, researchers, clinicians and the public

11/18/2025

New research highlights: Starting OAT after a hospital-treated opioid toxicity significantly lowers the risk of a repeat overdose.

This evidence reinforces that hospitals and community care need strong, seamless pathways so that people can be connected to OAT quickly and continue receiving support where they live.

During National Addictions Awareness Week, we’re highlighting the importance of creating integrated pathways that reduce preventable harms.

https://odprn.ca/research/publications/11-2025-oat-following-hospital-treated-opioid-toxicities/

11/17/2025

At the ODPRN, we’re committed to generating research that helps inform clinical and policy decision-making with the goal of supporting the wellness of people who use drugs.

During National Addictions Awareness Week, we recognize how critical it is to integrate data with the knowledge and perspectives of impacted communities to guide compassionate, inclusive, and effective responses to substance use.

11/12/2025

NEW ODPRN study shows high variability in harm reduction supply distribution and opioid-related mortality across Public Health Units (PHUs) in Ontario.

https://odprn.ca/research/publications/regional-analysis-of-harm-reduction-supply-distribution-and-opioid-related-deaths-across-phus/

11/10/2025

NEW ODPRN study found that nearly 60% of patients who began take-home methadone treatment during the first month of COVID-19 switched back to daily supervised dosing within 6 months.

Learn more at https://odprn.ca/research/publications/characteristics-associated-with-return-to-daily-dispense-methadone/

11/05/2025

New quarterly summary and census subdivision data on -related deaths in from the OCC for 2025 Q2 is now available.

Note that the decrease in Q1&Q2 2025 reflects the continuation of a trend that began in Q3 2024.

Data available for download at https://odprn.ca/occ-opioid-and-suspect-drug-related-death-data/

10/30/2025

NEW ODPRN Town Hall report on pharmacists providing Minor Ailments Services in Ontario

Read the report + listen to the audio clips from 6 of the individuals who shared live during the Town Hall.

https://odprn.ca/town-halls/minor-ailments-prescribing/

10/27/2025

New study examined trends in prescription opioid dispensing for pain across Canada and found declines that aligned with national efforts to promote more appropriate opioid use for pain management.

https://odprn.ca/research/publications/trends-in-prescription-opioid-use-for-pain-in-canada/

09/23/2025

Update to the ODPRN Ontario Opioid Indicator Tool!
https://odprn.ca/ontario-opioid-indicator-tool/

The following dashboards have been updated:
- Opioids for Pain: monthly data from Jan - March 2025
- Opioid Agonist Therapy: monthly data from Jan - March 2025
- Opioid-Related Harms: 2024 annual data & 2025 Q1 quarterly data
- Harm Reduction –The following indicators have been updated:
----- Pharmacy-Provided Naloxone: 2025 Q1 quarterly data
----- Community-Provided Naloxone: 2024 quarterly & annual data
----- Needles: 2024 annual data
- EMS Opioid Response: 2024 annual data and 2025 Q1 quarterly data

09/10/2025

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.

https://odprn.ca/research/publications/circumstances-surrounding-alcohol-toxicity-deaths-and-prior-pharmacotherapy-for-aud-in-ontario/

09/02/2025

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: https://odprn.ca/about-us/student-training-program/

08/20/2025

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 https://odprn.ca/occ-opioid-and-suspect-drug-related-death-data/

08/15/2025

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

https://odprn.ca/research/publications/methadone-monotherapy-vs-combination-therapy/

Address

30 Bond Street
Toronto, ON
M5B1W8

Website

http://www.odprn.ca/

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