B.C. study examines links between opioid prescribing after injury, overdose

The study of ED visits at Fraser Health sheds light on the risk that people are likely to experience an illicit drug overdose following prescription of opioids after their injury. Data suggest that for those prescribed opioids who haven’t received them previously, there’s an increased risk of drug poisoning from an opioid prescription but this risk is lower than other known contributing factors like younger age, being male and lower income. Researchers recommend careful consideration be given to prescribing opioids for the purposes of pain management following injury, especially for those most at risk - those with known opioid dependence or opioid use disorder. For those at highest risk in pain, researchers advocate for mental health supports, given the impact that unmanaged pain can have on drug relapse and poisoning risk.