@maegul More recent data has made it clear thatthe original data on overdoses spiking was imperfect, especially lacking a good baseline.he 2020 New Leaf Project, a randomized controlled trial conducted in Vancouver. Researchers gave 50 recently homeless individuals a one-time cash transfer of 7,500 Canadian dollars and tracked outcomes over twelve months. The cash group moved into stable housing faster than the control group and spent the majority of their money on rent, food, and clothing. There was no increase in spending on alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs. In fact, early reporting from the project suggested a decline.Paper: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2222103120 Other recent work https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955395926002379 foundNeighbourhood-level marginalization is significantly associated with risk of overdose, fatal or non-fatal. This relationship is seen independently of income and demographic factors. Addressing social disadvantage should be made a priority amidst the ongoing opioid crisisIn other words, the more financial pressure, the higher the OD rate.Nobody should be surprised that there are ODs when people with addictions get money. Of course some folks will go buy a substance. Note that the same pattern of increased ODs happens after pay days. But that's not comparing against a baseline, so doesn't say anything about OD rates long term, though it says something about paramedic and hospital staff scheduling.
