Innovations in medications for opioid use disorder and access in Vancouver
Official title: Evaluating and informing innovations in medications for opioid use disorder modalities amidst the evolving illicit drug supply
Funded at Simon Fraser University · NIH-11296135 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-running study in Vancouver, Canada is testing new MOUD options and overdose-prevention strategies to see if they improve access, sticking with people who use drugs in the community.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Simon Fraser University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Burnaby, Canada) |
| Project start | July 15, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $507,566 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA062601-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11296135 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults in Vancouver who use drugs and are enrolled in or eligible for the VIDUS-Opioid cohort or similar community-recruited populations.
✕Less likely to help
Results may not directly benefit individuals who do not access MOUD or who do not participate in the cohort.
What this research studies
This project continues a nearly 30-year cohort study to understand how evolving illegal drugs and new MOUD options affect access, retention, and outcomes for people who use opioids in Vancouver. Researchers will follow participants over time, collecting data on medication use, housing, overdose events, and health outcomes while introducing or evaluating newer MOUD modalities and prevention strategies. The study builds on VIDUS-Opioid, a subset of a large, ongoing cohort, to capture real-world experiences in a setting hit hard by fentanyl and other adulterants. Findings are intended to guide clinicians and policymakers in tailoring treatments and harm-reduction approaches to current drug trends.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could inform more effective MOUD options and overdose prevention strategies, improving retention in care and reducing overdoses for people who use opioids.
How similar studies have gone: The VIDUS cohort has provided longstanding, actionable insights; this continuation aims to adapt findings to evolving drug supplies and MOUD options.
Where this research is happening
-
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, Canada Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hayashi, Kanna — Simon Fraser University
- Study coordinator: Hayashi, Kanna
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.