Serving Vulnerable Populations

Dr Lori Regenstreif, Dr Aman Haji, Dr J Stryder Zobell

Panel 10 – Healthcare Stream –Serving Vulnerable Populations

September 25th Day Three – Macleod Hall C & D South Building 11:00 am to 12:30 pm

Addiction Medicine Canada – A Focus on Policy

Dr. Lori Regenstreif

Session Description

Addiction Medicine Canada (AMC) was created in the summer of 2024 by addiction physicians from Ontario and BC. Its goal is to advocate for public health policies and clinical practices that promote recovery and are grounded in evidence. We have seen missed opportunities for existing addiction and harm reduction efforts to promote strategies that benefit patients and communities. For example, decriminalization and legalization of cannabis with inadequate policy oversight.

Our efforts to date have focused on Safer Supply programs. AMC has sent briefing notes and letters on the harms of diversion, and strategies for mitigating these harms, to Health Canada, to the BC Minister of Health, and to the Ontario Medical Association. The briefing notes explained that take-home hydromorphone tablets are not in the best interests of patients or the public; and are being diverted, not just to people who use fentanyl, but to youth and other vulnerable groups. Multiple signals indicate that diversion of hydromorphone tablets is common. Research conducted during the OxyContin era found that youth who used diverted prescription opioid tablets were at high risk for transitioning to injection use and to heroin use; it is highly likely, in the current landscape, that many youths who use diverted hydromorphone tablets will transition to fentanyl use. The main strategy to prevent diversion is treating opioid use disorder, effectively, with opioid agonist treatment, not hydromorphone. Reducing access, affordability and the perception of safety of prescription opioids is the best approach to preventing youth exposure to opioids.

Addiction Medicine Canada will continue to challenge policies and practices that cause harm, and that are contrary to the principles of recovery-oriented care.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe role of Addiction Medicine Canada (AMC) in science-based policy advocacy
  • Explore the impact of drug policy on vulnerable populations
  • Discuss updates and news on provincial and national policy work
  • Invite input and suggestions for future efforts

References

  • Government of British Columbia. (2025, February 19). *Government provides update on pharmacy investigations, prescribed alternatives*. Retrieved from [https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025HLTH0008-000127]
  • Compton, W. M., Jones, C. M., & Baldwin, G. T. (2016).
  • “Relationship between Nonmedical Prescription-Opioid Use and Heroin Use.”
  • New England Journal of Medicine, 374(2), 154-163.
  • Guarino H, Mateu-Gelabert P, Teubl J, Goodbody E. Young adults’ opioid use trajectories: From nonmedical prescription opioid use to heroin, drug injection, drug treatment and overdose. Addict Behav. 2018 Nov;86:118-123. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.04.017. Epub 2018 May 1. PMID: 29747875; PMCID: PMC6377245.
  • Nguyen HV, Mital S, Bugden S, McGinty EE. Safer Opioid Supply, Subsequent Drug Decriminalization, and Opioid Overdoses. JAMA Health Forum. 2025;6(3):e250101. doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2025.0101

Bio

Lori Regenstreif is a family physician in Hamilton and the Northwest Territories. Her focus is on addiction treatment and on the impact of drug policies on youth and indigenous communities.

Other Panel Members

Join us for the Alberta Recovery Summit, hosted by the 9th Annual Recovery Capital Conference taking place on September 23rd, 24th, and 25th, 2025.

 Session Streams

  • Health Care and Recovery
  • Indigenous Health
  • Occupational Health and Safety

 Key Details

  • DAY ONE September 23rd – 5:30 pm 6:30: Early Badge Pick Up and Networking Reception, 6:30 pm to 8 pm Pre Conference Presentation
  • DAY TWO September 24th – 8:45 am to 5 pm: Keynote Speakers and Breakout Sessions
  • DAY THREE September 25th – 9 am to 5 pm: Keynote Speakers and Breakout Sessions

 Hotels

Book your hotel at one of our host hotels and save money. Click on the links for the discount rates and book early as rates will go up, and they always sell out.

Schedule

Speakers

Registration

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