Media Release Dec 8 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New data reveals River Stone Recovery Centre’s addictions program supports healthier outcomes for patients

December 8, 2022

FREDERICTON - The majority of patients in the injectable opioid agonist therapy (iOAT) program at Fredericton’s River Stone Recovery Centre are reporting positive life changes, reduced illicit drug use and reduced criminality since beginning medical treatment.

Results show that 90 per cent of patients in treatment over six months attribute positive changes in their lives to the program, such as improved mental health (71 per cent), improved physical health (69 per cent) and reduced conflict (58 per cent).

Participation in the iOAT program has greatly reduced criminal behaviours related to addiction, including theft, illicit drug sales and sex work. For example, when surveyed after a year in the program over 80 per cent of patients who reported stealing before iOAT say they no longer steal at all. The rest report stealing much less often.

“We have seen a significant reduction in criminal charges against our participants, because they can access prescribed medication and avoid difficult withdrawal symptoms while receiving support to manage other life challenges,” said River Stone’s Medical Director, and family physician, Dr. Sara Davidson.

River Stone has provided evidence-based medical treatment, including iOAT, and other supports to approximately 600 New Brunswickers since opening its Fredericton clinic in July 2020.

The Fredericton clinic is one of more than 28, multi-year, prescribed-led safer supply pilot projects funded under Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program to address the opioid crisis, and is the first of its kind in Eastern Canada. River Stone opened a Saint John clinic in July 2022.

“Supporting the River Stone Recovery Centre for their continued dedication towards reducing stigma, improving access to substance use supports, and inspiring change within the community of Fredericton is imperative. Together, we can help reduce the harms associated with substance use and promote better health outcomes for people in New Brunswick and across Canada who use substances,’’ said The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health.

River Stone uses a multi-disciplinary approach to treat patients, with medical teams offering prescribed therapies for opioid and stimulant use disorders along with rapid treatment for Hepatitis C. Case managers and peer workers offer support for setting goals and building healthy coping strategies.

“The work Dr. Davidson and her team are doing, with limited resources, to treat and manage addiction in the community, is vital and impressive. Physicians see the harmful impacts of substance use disorder, addiction, and infection on patients and their families regularly. Supportive programs like these are imperative to the health and safety of patients. The New Brunswick Medical Society encourages the government to promote and support these programs and their benefits,” said Dr. Mark MacMillan, Former President of the New Brunswick Medical Society.

River Stone’s measures of success are retention in the program, improved physical and mental health, improved life circumstances, reduction in risky behaviours, and reduction or elimination of illicit drug use outside the program.

Retention is a constant challenge for programs treating opioid use disorder, as patients who discontinue medical treatment too soon have high rates of relapse. Nationwide, retention rates for iOAT significantly exceed those for traditional oral OAT (methadone, Suboxone). River Stone’s iOAT retention rates meet or exceed the highest rates from major studies of iOAT. Of those who began iOAT treatment in 2020, 88 percent are still at River Stone.

“While these results are encouraging, many still struggle with homelessness, social isolation and a lack of mental health care, which makes them vulnerable to relapse, return to toxic street drug use, and harms related to living outside. Some, unfortunately, don’t survive these challenges. For this reason, we are still advocating for greater public investments in supportive housing and treatment, rather than additional jail cells, particularly here in Fredericton,” said Dr. Davidson.

For more information please visit: https://www.riverstone.recoverynb.ca/

Media contact: info@recoverynb.ca