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Opioid substitution treatment (OST) to reduce mortality, morbidity, and substance use in homeless and vulnerably housed persons

Summary of the evidence

Rating
  • Beneficial

Opioid substitution treatment (OST) was found in a narrative systematic review (Magwood et al., 2020) to be effective in:

  • reducing mortality, morbidity, and substance use in homeless populations

The same results were confirmed by a narrative systematic review of reviews (Miler et al., 2021).

Details

Note: this evidence summary is only valid for the outcomes, target groups, settings and substances/patterns of use described below.

Name of response option
  • Pharmacological treatment
Desired outcome(s)
  • reduce harms
  • reduce mortality
Area(s)
  • Harm reduction
Specific substance or pattern of use
  • opioids
Target group(s) or setting(s)
  • PWID – people who inject drugs

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