We’re pleased to share a newly published study, “Acceptance of Opioid Agonist Treatment in Alberta Bed-based Addiction Treatment Services,” in the Canadian Journal of Addiction.
Using simulated client calls, our research examined real-world access to opioid agonist treatment (OAT) across 83 publicly funded and licensed bed-based addiction treatment services in Alberta.
We found that:
- Only 43% accepted all forms of OAT.
- 48% accepted OAT only under certain conditions.
- 8% refused admission to people taking any form of OAT.
- Nearly one-quarter made negative, inaccurate or stigmatizing comments about OAT.
These findings point to a serious gap between evidence-based standards and the care people actually encounter. Expanding treatment beds is not enough if people are required to change or discontinue lifesaving medications to access them.
Alberta has an opportunity to strengthen accountability by requiring full OAT acceptance through provincial licensing, regulations and treatment standards.
RECLAIM Collective’s Lauren Cameron and Andrzej Celinski are grateful to have contributed to this research alongside Patty Wilson, Glenna Whitecap Grandberg and Dr. Kate Colizza. We are proud to have helped bring lived and living experience perspectives to the study.