Brain injury after non-fatal overdose: A rising concern

Brain injuries resulting from non-fatal opioid overdoses are an emerging healthcare concern for people who use drugs. Evidence indicates that the rate of non-fatal overdoses is approximately 15 times higher than the rate of fatal overdoses, underscoring the number of individuals that could be at risk for brain injury. However, there is lack of awareness about these injuries, which result from lack of oxygen in the brain due to reduced breathing. 

This webinar provides an overview of emerging evidence on overdose-related brain injury, including how brain injury occurs, its effects on cognitive and physical functioning, and how common it is. It supports frontline service providers to better understand the impacts of brain injury following non-fatal overdose among people who use drugs, as well as programming and policy strategies needed to improve prevention and care.

Moderators: Matthew Bonn and Magnus Nowell, CATIE

Speakers:

• Mauricio Garcia-Barrera, University of Victoria
• Chloé Xavier, BC Centre for Disease Control
• Shanell Twan, Streetworks
• Marliss Taylor, Streetworks