Healthcare utilization and mortality after overdose prevention site closure: A linked cohort analysis using segmented difference‐in‐differences time series

Key Points

• The aim is to analyze healthcare utilization and mortality rates following the closure of an overdose prevention site.
• Conducted a linked cohort analysis using segmented difference-in-differences time series methods.
• Examined data from the Red Deer overdose prevention site in Alberta, Canada.
• Focused on identifiable site users over a 26-week follow-up period.
• Increased dispensing of opioid agonist therapy among former site users was observed.
• Short-term effects on healthcare utilization remained stable but were inconclusive due to low event counts.