Opioid Substitution Therapy

Street Health Centre provides opioid substitution therapy (OST) with methadone and buprenorphine-naloxone (suboxone). When combined with counselling and other medical care, OST dramatically improves health status, functional stability, and quality of life.

We now also offer same-day access to support for addiction through our Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) program.

RAAM services provide rapid access to specially trained providers and evidence-based treatment for people with substance use disorders. The RAAM clinic will see patients without referrals or booked appointments, and in fact, the majority of new RAAM clients self-refer. Clients are able to be seen on a walk-in basis. The walk-in, self-referral model gives patients the flexibility to attend when they are ready and able to, without the pressure of having to make and keep a scheduled appointment.

RAAM services are provided by a multi-disciplinary team that includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, case managers, counselors, harm reduction workers and peers.  We provide medical assistance, counselling, harm reduction education and supplies, overdose education/prevention, naloxone kits and links to community services.

The core functions of the SHC-RAAM Clinic include:

• Diagnose substance use disorders and concurrent mental health disorders
• Initiate pharmacotherapy when indicated for opioid use disorder or alcohol use disorder
• Provide harm reduction interventions and advice (including supplies, overdose prevention and education about responding to an overdose)
• Take-home naloxone kits
• Provide brief solution-focused counselling
• Provide trauma-informed care
• Make appropriate links to community services for addiction, psychosocial, and social services
• Link patients back to primary care when stable
• Provide primary care to patients who are unable to find a primary care provider
• Educate and support emergency department and hospital clinicians, and primary care providers about addiction treatment
• Provide advice and support to primary care physicians who have referred patients

It offers both medication and psychosocial interventions from the first visit, ensuring a holistic approach to addressing a person’s substance use. The goal of the RAAM clinic is to meet people where they are at and work with them to create a care plan that fits with their goals.