Repeated cross-sectional study shows rising opioid agonist treatment in First Nation Peoples, indicating improving access over time.
Key Points
This study aims to describe trends in opioid agonist therapy use among First Nation Peoples in Ontario between 2013 and 2023.
Population-based repeated cross-sectional study of registered First Nation Peoples aged 15+ in Ontario
Reported quarterly proportions of First Nation Peoples dispensed OAT, including methadone, buprenorphine/naloxone, and BUP-ER
Examined annual prevalence of OAT dispensing stratified by age, sex, and residence in 2023.
Between 2013 and 2023, quarterly OAT dispensing rose from 2.7% to 5.0%, plateauing at about 5% in early 2020.
Methadone dispensing remained steady at 2.0% to 2.6%, with buprenorphine-containing products overtaking methadone in mid-2018, reaching 3.1% by Q4 2023.
In 2023, 6.1% of First Nation Peoples accessed OAT, with higher rates among those aged 25–44 and residing in First Nation communities.