A Scoping Review of Evidence-Based Interventions and Health-Related Services for Youth Who Use Nonmedical Opioids in Canada and the United States.

Abstract

Purpose: This scoping review synthesizes the characteristics and outcomes of recent evidence-based treatments and services for youth with nonmedical opioid use/opioid use disorder in the context of the ongoing opioid crisis in Canada and the United States.

Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses - Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, empirical health databases were searched for literature describing treatments or health-related services for nonmedical opioid use/opioid use disorder among youth (ages 12-25). Two independent reviewers conducted study screening, selection, and data extraction. A deductive content analysis further synthesized the interventions' characteristics following the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and an inductive content analysis synthesized the interventions' efficacy/effectiveness outcomes.

Results: Twenty-five articles met inclusion from 2,761 screened; 88% described opioid agonist treatment (alone or in combination with nonpharmacological treatment). Following the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, commonly identified adaptable characteristics included treatment decision-making processes, integrated health and social services, and treatment settings. Efficacy/effectiveness outcomes most frequently included substance use and treatment engagement.

Discussion: This study informs future development, implementation, and evaluation of practices and policies that could be tailored to improve the quality of opioid agonist treatment for youth at risk of significant harms from nonmedical opioid use.