Community

META:PHI offers several opportunities for clinician networking, education, and training, including an annual conference, an active listserv, a monthly teleconference for nurse practitioners, and a webinar and dialogue series. Please come and learn with us!

META:PHI 2025 Conference: April 4–5, 2025

Registration open!

There is still time to register for the 2025 virtual conference!

Please visit our conference website for complete agenda and registration information.

Agenda

Download agenda (version date: 19 March 2025)

Friday, April 4, 2025

8:00-8:30Sign-in and lobby chat
8:30-9:00Welcome
Introduction: Jennifer Wyman
Conference Opening: Kawennanoron Cindy White
META:PHI Updates: Kate Hardy, Meldon Kahan
9:00-10:00Opening Keynote
Drug Policy in Ontario: Crises and Opportunities
Dan Werb
10:00-10:15Break
10:15-11:15Session 1A
Managing Opioid Withdrawal in the Emergency Department
Tali Magboo Cahill, Justin Koh
Session 1B
The Substance Use Health Initiative: Enhancing Hospital Care for Youth with Substance Use
Linda Nguyen, Trish Tulloch, Lauren Morris
Session 1C: Research Snapshots
a) What Matters Most When Visiting a Rapid Access Addictions Medicine (RAAM) Clinic in Canada: A National eDelphi Study Amongst People Living with an Alcohol Use Problem
Mackenzie Dowson
b) A Mixed-Methods Exploration of the Characteristics and Perspectives of Patients Utilizing the Virtual Health Addictions Care In-Reach Model
Erin Budd, Inderpal Dosanjh
c) Youth-Centered Buprenorphine Induction in the Emergency Department: A Critical Scoping Review
Erin Grennell
11:15-11:30Break
11:30-12:30Session 2A
Buprenorphine XR: Alternative Induction Strategies for Challenging Cases in the Age of Fentanyl
Monique Moller, Tianna Costa, Jessica Munro
Session 2B
Involuntary Treatment Legislation in Ontario and Substance Use Disorders: Fit for Purpose?
Angie Hamilton, Valerie Primeau
Session 2C: Snapshots from BC
a) Early Impacts of British Columbia’s Drug Decriminalization Policy on Harm Reduction Site Operations: Findings from a Provincial Survey
Farihah Ali
b) The Impact of Decriminalization of Personal Possession of Illegal Drugs on Drug Poisonings in British Columbia, Canada (2015-2023)
Sameer Imtiaz
12:30-1:30Lunch
1:30-3:30Workshop 1
Basics of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for the Addiction Medicine Clinic
Wiplove Lamba, Tim Guimond, Edwin Wey, Christine Vogt, Perri Deacon
Workshop 2
The Moss Park Model: Community-Driven Integrated Care with People who use Drugs
Sarah Greig, Erin Telegdi
3:30-3:45Break
3:45-4:45Session 3A
Management of Acute and Subacute Alcohol Withdrawal in RAAM Clinic Settings
Meldon Kahan
Session 3B: Care Snapshots
a) BIRCH: Developing a Virtual Hub for Substance Use Treatment Programming within First Nations Communities
Kate Turner, Elaine Toombs
b) Nurse Prescribing of Buprenorphine
Katie Dunham
c) Substance Use Health Competencies for All Prescribers
Miguel Andres Hernandez-Basurto

Saturday, April 5, 2025

8:00-8:30Sign-in and lobby chat
8:30-9:30Session 4A
Engaging in Substance Use Healthcare During Pregnancy: If Rapport is a Two-Way Street, Can Clinicians and Patients Meet in the Middle of the Road Without Getting Run Over?
Adam Newman, Charlotte Munro
Session 4B
Navigating Cannabis Use in Addiction Medicine Practices within a Legalized Era
Melissa Snider-Adler
Session 4C
Pearls and Pitfalls of Virtual RAAM Care: Practical Tips from Real-World Stories
Jason Perfect, Sydney DeGuzman, Katie Dunham
9:30-9:45Break
9:45-10:45Session 5A
New Guidelines for Methadone Prescribing
Jennifer Wyman, Andrew McLeod
Session 5B
Engaging Your Hospital in Substance Use Health Care: Beyond the Addictions Medicine Consult Service
Kim Corace, Tali Magboo Cahill
Session 5C
Slow-Release Oral Morphine as Opioid Agonist Therapy in the Fentanyl Era: A Qualitative Study of Client Experiences
Pamela Leece, Ashley Smoke
10:45-11:00Break
11:00-12:30Panel discussion
Enhancing Health Outcomes Through Connection: Peer Support and The Neighbourhood Group
Facilitator: Jean-Paul Michael
Presenters: Florencia Leston, Andrew Nash, Nerissa Maclean
12:30-1:30Lunch
1:30-2:30Session 6A
Opioid Use Disorder in the Inpatient Setting: 5 Common Conundrums
Sarah Whynot, Jennifer Ng
Session 6B
Substance Use and Brain Injury: What You May Be Missing and What to Do About It
Wiplove Lamba, Carolyn Lemsky
Session 6C
Evaluation of the Impact of Peer Support in the Substance Use Service at Women’s College Hospital
Pamela Leece, Walker Akhlaghi, Susan Dobson
2:30-2:45Break
2:45-3:45Closing Keynote
Creating Your Own Community Strategy to Address the Drug Poisoning Crisis
Esther Tailfeathers

Accreditation

College of Family Physicians of Canada Mainpro+® Certified Activity
This activity meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto for up to 11.5 Mainpro+® Certified Activity credits.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada – Section 1
This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. You may claim up to a maximum of 11.5 hours (credits are automatically calculated).

Previous Conferences

META:PHI Conference 2023: September 22-23 Agenda (PDF)

Presentations

Welcome

Jennifer Wyman, Conference Chair
Carol Hopkins, Executive Director, Thunderbird Partnership Foundation
Ann Marie Corrado, Acting Network Director, META:PHI
Meldon Kahan, Medical Director, META:PHI


Keynote

Drug Policy, Race and the Criminal Justice System: Exploring Important Intersections and Possibilities for the Future
Akwasi Owusu-Bempah





Workshop 1

META:PHI’s Alcohol Use Disorder Emergency Department Toolkit (PDF)
Bjug Borgundvaag, Katie Dunham, Hasan Sheikh, Kelly Shillington







Session 4A

Scene First (PDF)
Louisa Marion-Bellemare, Seamus Murphy, Julie Samson





Session 5A

Cannabis and Approaches to the Management of Cannabis Use Disorder
Bernard Le Foll, Victor Tang, Leanne Trick



Snapshot Session 4: ED and Hospital Care

a) Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing ED-initiated Buprenorphine (PDF)
Ceire Storey

b) Chart Review: Referral to Addiction Medicine in Patients with Substance Use Disorder (PDF)
Zayya Zendo, Robert McKay

c) Helping the Helpers with Substance Use Disorders
Trish Uniac


Thank you to the conference planning committee for their input and expertise in the planning of this event:

  • Jennifer Wyman (Chair)
  • Rachel Alexander
  • Sara Bown
  • Leslie Buckley
  • Janelle Hannon
  • Christina Henry
  • Leslie Molnar
  • Lori Regenstreif
  • Michael Roach
  • Maria Zhang

Thank you also to Lisa Bromley, Ann Marie Corrado, Robin Griller, and Anita Srivastava for acting as moderators, and to all speakers and attendees for their participation.

META:PHI Conference 2022: September 23-24 (PDF)

Presentations

Welcome (PDF)
Jennifer Wyman, Conference Chair
Meldon Kahan, Medical Director, META:PHI
Ann Marie Corrado, Acting Network Director, META:PHI

Keynote
Re-positioning Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) within the context of criminalization (PDF)
David Frank, Research Scientist, New York University


Session 1B

Family caregivers: Problem or panacea? (PDF)
Oona St-Amant, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, TMU
Brynlea Barbeau, Addiction Medicine Physician, Sault Area Hospital
Louise White, Co-Founder, FAR


Session 1C

Toronto’s drug checking service: Clinical and community impacts of findings from the city’s unregulated drug supply (PDF)
Hayley Thompson, Project Manager, Toronto’s Drug Checking Service, CDPE
Pat Fifield, OPSW, Parkdale Queen West CHC


Session 2A

Pharmacological management of benzodiazepine dependence (PDF)
Josée Lynch, Addiction Psychiatrist, University Health Network


Session 2b

Mashed versus meshed: Integrating psychosocial care into your RAAM (PDF)
Jared Bonis, Staff NP, Health Sciences North
Alyssa Scichilone, RSW, Outpatient Addictions, Sudbury Mental Health and Addictions Centre
Michael Roach, Regional Lead, Addictions Services, Mental Health and Addictions Programs, Health Sciences North


Session 2C

Implementing contingency management in RAAM: A quality improvement project
Tanya Hauck, Addiction Psychiatrist, CAMH (PDF)

Himmat Dhillon, M2, Midwestern University Medicine
Basant Dhillon, Health Sciences, McMaster University
Stephanie Rochon, RAAM Supervisor, Brant Community Health Care Systems


Session 3A

Methadone, opioid overdose, and supervised consumption site data
Tali Cahill, Professional Practice Consultant, Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre


Session 3B

Buprenorphine macrodosing in the ER and early depot buprenorphine initiation in the hospital setting (PDF)
Louisa Marion-Bellemare, Assistant Professor, Northern Ontario School of Medicine
Julie Samson, Assistant Professor, Northern Ontario School of Medicine


Session 3C

Developing and implementing a mobile addictions medicine service for Indigenous people in the GTA (PDF)
Harvey Manning, Director, Programs and Services, Anishnawbe Health Toronto
Chetan Mehta, RAAM Physician, Anishnawbe Health Toronto
Subo Awan, Interim Manager, Anishnawbe Health Toronto


Session 4A

Alcohol withdrawal: A primer for RAAM clinicians (PDF)
Katie Dunham, Nurse Educator, META:PHI
Meldon Kahan, Medical Director, META:PHI


Session 4B

Transitions of care in addiction treatment (PDF)
Narges Beyraghi, Addiction Psychiatrist, CAMH
Tianna Costa, Clinical Pharmacist, CAMH
Amy Yang, Occupational Therapist, CAMH


Session 4C

A new framework for methadone carries: A person-centered evidence-based approach to take-home dosing (PDF)
Vincent Lam, Medical Director, Coderix Medical Clinic
Suzanne Latreille, Peer Educator, City of Ottawa
Andrew McLeod, Community Consultant
Charlotte Munro, Child and Youth Worker
Jennifer Wyman, Medical Director, SUS, Women’s College Hospital
Maria Zhang, Pharmacist, CAMH

Workshop slides

Workshop 1A

Withdrawal workshop: Manual review and case presentations (PDF)

  • Katie Dunham, Nurse Educator, META:PHI
  • Laura Jones, NP, St. Leonard’s Withdrawal Management
  • Mark Weiss, Medical Director, Bellwood Health Services

Workshop 1B

Onboarding peers as team members in addictions care settings (PDF)

  • Ethan Hopkins, Peer Systems Navigator, Support House
  • Alyssa Gremmen, Peer Integration and Systems Lead, Support House
  • Richard Adair, Manager, Peer Services, Peer Support House

Workshop 1C

A taste of Motivational Interviewing (PDF)

  • Wiplove Lamba, Physician Lead, SUS, Sinai Health Systems
  • Omar Ghaffar, Physician Lead, Mental Health, Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital
  • Hedieh Ghanbari, Hospital Medicine Director, Sinai Health Systems
  • Mary Zheng, CNS, Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital
  • Anita Kang, PGY 5 (psychiatry), University of Toronto

Workshop 2A

Mandatory reporting to the Ministry of Transportation: Considerations and review of the legislation (PDF)

  • Tanya Hauck, Addictions Psychiatrist, CAMH
  • Omar Ha-Redeye, Lawyer, Fleet Street Law

Workshop 2B

Treatment of hepatitis C in addiction settings (PDF)

  • Jordan Feld, Interim Director, Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network
  • Hemant Shah, Staff Hepatologist, University Health Network

Workshop 2C

Collaborative approaches to care with adolescents who use substances (PDF)

  • Jessica Empringham, PGY-3 (Paediatrics), SickKids
  • Karen Leslie, Staff Paediatrician, SickKids
  • Cathy Maser, NP, SickKids

Thank you to our conference planning committee for their input and expertise in the planning of this event:

  • Jennifer Wyman (Chair) MD CCFP FCFP DABAM MPH
  • Rachel Alexander BAH
  • Leslie Buckley MD MPH FRCPC
  • Christina Henry RN BScN BA
  • Sean LeBlanc CAPUD
  • Leslie Molnar MSW RSW
  • Lori Regenstreif MSc MD CCFP(AM) MScCH(AMH) FCFP
  • Josh RichardsonRP RPN Psych Cert BAH
  • Anita Srivastava MD MSc CCFP
  • Maria Zhang BScPhm, PharmD

META:PHI Conference 2021: September 24-25 (PDF)

Presentations

Welcome (PDF)
Kate Hardy, Network Director, META:PHI
Meldon Kahan, Medical Director, META:PHI

Plenary
Supporting First Nations right to health: What is the critical path? (PDF)
Dr. Carol Hopkins OC, Chief Executive Officer, Thunderbird Partnership Foundation



Session 3A

Opioid agonist treatment and the opioid crisis (PDF)
Meldon Kahan MD CCFP FRCPC


Session 4A

Re-imagining philosophies of care: Hiring, training, and mentorship of nurses in CTS (PDF)
Erin Telegdi RN, South Riverdale CHC
Lara Small RN, South Riverdale CHC
Jessica Arteaga RN, South Riverdale CHC
Sushi Rosborough, Overdose Response Worker, South Riverdale CHC


Session 4B

STOPS – A journey of grassroots overdose prevention from Northeastern Ontario (PDF)
Karla Ghartey, STOPS Program
Crystal Kimewon, STOPS Program
Marie Pollock, STOPS Program


Session 5A

Medically supported alcohol withdrawal management: Outpatient and detox perspectives (PDF)
David Peterson NP-PHC MSc BNSc BPHE BSc
Shawn Dookie NP-PHC RN (EC) BSc MPH


Session 5B

Addressing stigma through clinical judgment: Strategies for working with families (PDF)
Oona St-Amant RN PhD
Angie Hamilton, Executive Director, Families for Addiction Recovery
Brynlea Barbeau MD


Session 6A

Downtown east community-led trauma informed overdose response curriculum (PDF)
Seff Pinch, South Riverdale CHC
Sunny Sultan, South Riverdale CHC



Session 7B

From grief to advocacy: Family journeys to demanding safe supply, decriminalization and harm reduction (PDF)
Christine Wingate, Ontario Director, Moms Stop the Harm
Missy McLean, Ontario Director, Moms Stop the Harm



Session 8B

A rural approach to the opioid crisis
Micayla Ahearn MD
Victoria Burke, ROCK Outreach Worker
Sean Lee-Popham RN, Harm Reduction Lead, Bancroft Community FHT
Ellen Buck-McFadyen PhD, Trent University School of Nursing


Session 9A

Drug decriminalization (PDF)
Matthew Bonn, Program Manager, CAPUD
Sandra Ka Hon Chu, Co-Executive Director, HIV Legal Network



Session 9C

Inpatient naloxone kit distribution: Our first steps into hospital-based harm reduction initiatives (PDF)
Michael Roach, NE Ontario Regional Lead, RAAM and AMCT
Paola Nikodem, Regional Education and Quality Lead for Addictions Services, Health Sciences North


Workshop slides

Workshop 1

Digging in to buprenorphine: Initiating and managing buprenorphine in ambulatory, ED, and inpatient settings (PDF)

  • Katie Dunham BSc Hons BScN MN NP-PHC
  • Melissa Holowaty PhD MD CCFP (AM)
  • Robyn Nocilla BScN MSc NP-PHC
  • Mike Postic MSc NP-Adult
  • Elizabeth Shouldice MD MPH CCFP (EM) FCFP
  • Jennifer Wyman MD CCFP FCFP DABAM MPH

Workshop 4

Methadone treatment for people who use fentanyl: Using case discussions to explore the META:PHI guidelines (PDF)

  • Lisa Bromley MD CCFP (AM) FCFP
  • Robin Lennox MD CCFP
  • Meredith MacKenzie MD BSc CCFP (AM) FCFP
  • Andrew McLeod
  • Lori Regenstreif MD CCFP (AM) FCFP MScCH (AMH) CISAM
  • Anita Srivastava MD MSc CCFP

Thank you to our conference planning committee for their input and expertise in the planning of this event:

  • Rachel Alexander BAH
  • Leslie Buckley MD MPH FRCPC
  • Katie Dunham BSc Hons, BScN, MN, NP-PHC
  • Kate Hardy MSW RSW
  • Christina Henry RN BScN BA
  • Louisa Marion-Bellemare MD CCFP (EM)
  • Josh Richardson RP RPN Psych Cert BAH
  • Michael Roach RN MN
  • Hasan Sheikh MD CCFP (EM) MPA
  • Jennifer Wyman MD CCFP FCFP DABAM MPH
  • Maria Zhang BScPhm, PharmD

META:PHI Conference 2020: September 25 (PDF)

Presentations

Session 1A

Methadone treatment in the fentanyl era: New consensus guidelines
Meldon Kahan, MD CCFP FRCPC
Lori Regenstreif, MD CCFP (AM) FCFP MScCH (AMH) CISAM


Session 1B

Resources and strategies to support vulnerable and marginalized patients in RAAM clinics
Christina Henry, RN BA BScN


Session 1C

Caring for health professionals with SUD
Adam Newman, MD FCFP (AM) CCSAM
Lisa Lefebvre, MDCM MPH CCFP (AM) DABAM FASAM CCSAM CMRO
Adam Newman, MD MCFP (AM)


Session 2A

Co-prescribing for concurrent disorders
Valerie Primeau, MD FRCPC


Session 2B

RAAM innovations
(1) Lakeridge opioid navigator
Lindsay Reynolds, MEd RP
(2) The Alex RAAM
Jennifer Eyford, MSc BSc BN RN


Session 2C

Harm reduction for hospitalized patients and people who inject drugs
Tali Cahill, BScN RN


Panel

Innovations in care for people with SUDs during COVID: What can we learn going forward?
Moderator: Vincent Lam, MD CCFP (AM) ASAM CSAM
(1) Working with managed alcohol/managed stimulant programs during COVID
Michelle Klaiman MD FRCPC DABAM
(2) Virtual care
Michael Roach, Regional Lead, Addictions Services, Mental Health and Addictions Programs, Health Sciences North
(3) COVID-OAT changes
Tara Gomes PhD MHSc


Session 3A

Long-acting buprenorphine options
Katie Dunham BSc BScN MN NP-PHC
Ken Lee MD MCFP (AM)


Session 3B

The roles of peer support and lived experience in addiction medicine
Josh Richardson RP RPN Psych Cert BA Hons
Charles Coke, Peer Support Advocate


Session 3C

MI and brief interventions in the addictions setting
Julie Henderson MD FRCPC DABAM
Leslie Molnar MSW RSW


Session 4A

Case discussions: Managing non-opioid substance use issues
Jennifer Wyman MD CCFP FCFP DABAM MPH


Session 4B

Family-centred care
Angie Hamilton LLB BCL
Louise Lemieux White BScN RN


Session 4C

Contingency management
Melissa Holowaty PhD MD CCFP (AM)


Thank you to our conference planning committee for their input and expertise in the planning of this event:

  • Leslie Buckley MD MPH FRCPC
  • Katie Dunham BSc Hons, BScN, MN, NP-PHC
  • Kate Hardy MSW RSW
  • Christina Henry RN BScN BA
  • Elizabeth Shouldice MD CCFP(EM) FCFP MPH
  • Jennifer Wyman MD CCFP FCFP DABAM MPH
  • Maria Zhang BScPhrm, PhmD

META:PHI Conference 2019: September 20 (PDF)

Slides

Handouts

META:PHI Conference 2018: September 21-22

Slides

Webinars: META:PHI hosts a virtual presentation on the third Wednesday of each month from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM Eastern time. These sessions are relevant to all service providers, such as counsellors, prescribers, administrators, pharmacists, and community workers who work with people who use substances. All sessions are free.

Dialogue Series: The monthly Dialogue Call is open to healthcare providers across all disciplines. With Clinical Challenges in Substance-based Care as the main theme, each month different case studies will be presented for review and discussion. The Dialogue teleconference alternates between the first Tuesday at 8:00 AM and first Wednesday at 12:00 PM of each month. Contact laurie.smith@wchospital.ca to be added to the series.  If you have a clinical case for discussion, please reach out.

2025 Dialogue Call Schedule

  • Tuesday Calls 8:00-8:45AM: February 4, April 1, June 3, October 7, December 1
  • Wednesday Calls 12:00-12:45PM: March 5, May 7, July 3, September 3, November 5

2025 Webinar Series

Session #4 – Wednesday, April 16, 2025 7-8:30 PM (Eastern time)

Involuntary Treatment, Capacity and Community Treatment Orders:  An Introduction for Addictions Providers and Non-Psychiatrists

Tanya Hauck, Michele Warner

Dr. Tanya Hauck is an addictions psychiatrist and clinician scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto.  Her research and clinical interests include the epidemiology of addictions and addictions psychiatry in Ontario and stimulant use disorders.

photo of a person

Michele Warner was called to the Bar in 2005, and is the Director, Legal Services (Clinical) at CAMH. Michele provides legal advice to CAMH clinical teams and hospital administrators on a wide range of legal issues, including health law, mental health law, consent and capacity law, forensic mental health law, and privacy law.  She also advises CAMH on compliance with healthcare legislation and the development of clinical and organizational policies.  Michele represents CAMH and its clinicians before administrative tribunals and at all levels of court, and teaches extensively on health law and mental health law. Prior to joining CAMH in 2013, Michele was a lawyer with the Health Law Group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. 

Learning Objectives

  • To recognize and understand criteria for involuntary treatment and assessment in Ontario, including the use of the Form 1 and Form 2
  • To describe the process of assessing capacity and incapacity for treatment
  • To discuss the potential role of Community Treatment Orders in addictions treatmentUnderstanding gambling addiction and digital dependency using the bio/psycho/social model

2025 Webinar Schedule

Webinar Date and Time (Eastern Time)Webinar Title
February 19
7:00-8:30 PM
Skin Health and Wound Care: Working With People Who Use Drugs
Erin Telegdi, Heather Mackay-Lams
March 19
7:00-8:30 PM
Gambling/Gaming and Digital Dependency
Chelsea Rodrigues
April 16
7:00-8:30 PM
Involuntary Treatment, Capacity and Community Treatment Orders:  An Introduction for Addictions Providers and Non-Psychiatrists
Tanya Hauck, Michele Warner
May 21
7:00-8:30 PM
The Role of Fentanyl Patches in Treating Severe OUD
Leah Steele
June 18
7:00-8:30 PM
July, AugustSummer Break
September 17
7:00-8:30 PM
October 15
7:00-8:30 PM
November 19
7:00-8:30 PM
December 17
7:00-8:30 PM

2025 Webinar Series Accreditation

College of Family Physicians of Canada – Mainpro+: This one-credit-per-hour Group Learning program meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto for up to 1.5 Mainpro+ credits per webinar.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada – Section 1: This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, approved by Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. You may claim a maximum of 1.5 hours per webinar (credits are automatically calculated).

Thank you to our 2025 Webinar Series Committee Members:

  • Jennifer Wyman (Chair)
  • Jennifer Brasch
  • Lisa Bromley
  • Katie Dunham
  • Robin Griller
  • Pia Heikkinen
  • Mae Katt
  • Adam McInnis
  • JP Michael
  • Ainko Ramanathan

Previous Sessions

March 19, 2025

Gambling/Gaming and Digital Dependency

Chelsea Rodrigues

February 19, 2025

Skin Health and Wound Care: Working With People Who Use Drugs

Erin Telegdi, Heather Mackay-Lams


November 20, 2024

Eliminating Hepatitis C: The Role for Addiction Medicine Providers in Ontario

Kate Palbom, Bernadette Lettner


October 16, 2024

OAT and the Effects of Long-term Opioid Therapy
Testosterone Therapy (PDF)
Immune and Endocrine Systems (PDF)

Eyal Kraut, Lavarnan Sivanathan


September 18, 2024

ABCs of Drug Testing- Understanding What a Test Can and Cannot Tell You

Melissa Snider-Adler


June 19, 2024

Indigenous Culture as Healing

Carol Hopkins


June 4,2024

Psychiatric Care in RAAM Clinics (PDF)

Wiplove Lamba




March 20, 2024

Considerations in the Care of People Who Use Stimulants (PDF)

Tanya Hauck, Stephanie Rochon


February 21, 2024

Treating Tobacco Use Disorder (PDF)

Milan Khara


https://youtu.be/WL84Njv-g2E

April 12, 2023

Hospital Harm Reduction: Shifting Paradigms

Jean-Paul Michael, Kit Fairgrieve


March 8, 2023

Northwest Ontario RAAM Toolkit (PDF)

Pia Heikkinen, Denise Forsyth, Allison Crewe


February 8, 2023

Treating Poverty Means Treating Addiction (PDF)

Larisa Eibisch

June 8, 2022

Same, but Different: Naloxone in Bystander Response vs. Supervised Consumption Site Overdose Protocols

Tali Cahill


May 11, 2022

Managed Alcohol Programs: Example Operations, Successes and Challenges

Graydon Simmons


April 13, 2022

Adapting Evidence-based Psychotherapy for People Who Use Drugs: Principles and Practice

Wiplove Lamba, Josh Richardson


March 9, 2022

If Harm Reduction Didn’t Exist then Neither Would My Recovery: Bridging the Gaps

Guy Felicella


February 9, 2022

Withdrawal Management Considerations in the Toronto Community Withdrawal Management Context

Rosie Yoon, Linda Picken, Keith Hansen


Jan 12, 2022

Opioids, Chronic Pain and Opioid Use Disorder: What Can We Learn from the POINT Study?

Jonathan Bertram

This continuing professional development activity was held under the auspices of Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto and META:PHI.

Accreditation

College of Family Physicians of Canada – Mainpro+

This one-credit-per-hour Group Learning program meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto for up to 1.5 Mainpro+ credits per session.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada – Section 1

This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, approved by Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. You may claim a maximum of 1.5 hours per session (credits are automatically calculated).

Each participant should claim only those hours of credit that they actually spent participating in the educational program.

June 9, 2021

Inpatient Management of Opioid Withdrawal/Opioid Use Disorder

Christopher Fairgrieve


May 12, 2021

Pharmacists in Addiction Services: The Importance of Working Together

Beth Sproule, Kenny Chong


April 14, 2021

Approaches to Initiating Buprenorphine in the ED

Andrew Herring


March 10, 2021

Methadone Treatment in the Age of Fentanyl

Meldon Kahan, Lori Regenstreif, Sean LeBlanc


February 10, 2021

Slow Release Oral Morphine (SROM) for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder

Suzanne Turner


January 13, 2021

Stimulants in RAAM: Pharmacologic and Contingency Management

Stephanie Rochon, Tanya Hauck

This continuing professional development activity was held under the auspices of Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto and META:PHI.

Accreditation

College of Family Physicians of Canada – Mainpro+

This one-credit-per-hour Group Learning program meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto for up to 1.5 Mainpro+ credits per session.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada – Section 1

This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, approved by Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. You may claim a maximum of 1.5 hours per session (credits are automatically calculated).

Each participant should claim only those hours of credit that they actually spent participating in the educational program.

The META:PHI listserv is an active online community of more than 1,500 doctors, nurses, counsellors, pharmacists, administrators, and people with lived experience in Ontario and across Canada. It is a discussion forum for addiction-related questions, cases, articles, and policies.

History

The META:PHI listserv was started in 2015 with the first RAAM pilot projects in Ontario. It now includes more than 1500 members from across Canada (and increasingly, parts of the United States) representing many disciplines and sectors, both medical and non-medical. Its purpose is to facilitate discussion among colleagues across the addiction services field, including addiction medicine, harm reduction, counselling, and allied services and research.

Posts regarding clinical questions, resources, events, research, policy, and other topics related to work with people who use substances are welcome. META:PHI does not endorse any of the resources or opinions shared in this forum.

Signing up and participating

To access the group as a mailing list, send an e-mail to Laurie Smith with the following information:

  • Your role and institution
  • The e-mail address where you would like to receive the messages
  • How you would prefer to receive the messages:
    • Receive each message as a separate e-mail
    • Receive a daily digest e-mail with the text of up to 25 messages bundled together
    • Receive a daily abridged e-mail with a summary of the day’s post subjects and authors (content of posts not included; viewable only through the online forum)
    • Receive no e-mails; online forum access only

If you would like to access the group as an online forum, you will need to be signed up with an e-mail address that is associated with a Google account. If you do not have a Google account, go to the sign-up pageExternal link icon to create an account. You can either create a new Gmail address (default) or use an existing e-mail account (click on “Use my current email address instead”). To join the group, sign into your Google account, go to the group pageExternal link icon, click on “Apply for membership”, and write your role and institution in the text box.

To post a message to the group, e-mail your message to metaphi@googlegroups.com and it will be disseminated to all members after moderation. If you are signed up with a Google account, you can also post your messages on the group pageExternal link icon.

To leave the group, send a blank email to metaphi+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.

Moderation

The META:PHI Google group is moderated; all messages are read by a moderator before they are posted to the group. If your message is not posted, you will receive a notification with an explanation. Messages may not be posted if they fall into any of the following categories:

  • Cases with identifying information (see below)
  • Replies to requests for services in a particular area (please send directly to the requester)
  • Messages intended for an individual (please double-check the “To” address)
  • “Low-content” messages (e.g., “Thanks!” “Interesting!”)
  • Posts that solicit referrals or advertise products/services
  • “Off-topic” messages that are not related to substance use
  • Posts that violate the code of conduct (see below)

When posting a clinical case, please do not include details that could result in your patient being identified by others. Please use general descriptions as much as possible (i.e., decade for age, approximate time frames for recent admissions/interventions), include only clinically relevant medical and social details, and avoid naming specific hospitals or treatment centres. The moderator may ask you to adjust a case presentation if the post contains potentially identifying information.

All messages that follow these rules will be posted. If you have any questions about why a message was not posted, please contact Laurie Smith.

Code of conduct

The purpose of the META:PHI Google group is to facilitate discussion among colleagues across the addiction services field. Debate is welcome, including critiques of policies and clinical practices related to the field of substance use. Posts must focus on policies and practices rather than individuals or groups. Messages containing personal attacks, insults, profanity, or threatening or abusive language will not be posted. Messages ascribing ill intent or reflecting bias towards individuals or groups will also not be allowed.

META:PHI advocates the use of people-first language External link icon. Members may be asked to rewrite any posts that contain stigmatizing language.

We request (but do not require) that members include their name and role at the end of each post.

If you have any concerns about a particular post, please contact Laurie Smith, who will take the concern to the META:PHI team.

Addiction-NP Google Group

Addiction-NP is a community of Nurse Practitioners with an interest in addiction care. It consists of a listserv, and monthly meeting held on the last Wednesday of the month at noon (excluding July and Aug). Nurse Practitioners from across Canada use this space to share knowledge, resources, concerns, ask questions, and make connections with other like-minded NPs.

NPs wishing to join can email Laurie Smith to receive a welcome message and a link to the next meeting.

The META:PHI e-newsletter is published monthly and profiles healthcare professionals and the innovative work being done in the addictions field in Ontario and across Canada. For previous editions, browse the archives in our resource library.

Issue 51 – March 2025

META:PHI’s nurse practitioner Katie Dunham facilitates a monthly 60-minute teleconference for NPs with an interest in or focus on substance-related concerns. The casual discussion format encourages sharing cases, questions, advice, best practices, and current events.

Addictions NP teleconference: Last Wednesday of each month at 12:00 noon

E-mail Laurie Smith to join.

Archived Presentations

iOAT: Injectable Opioid Agonist Treatment (PDF) – Dr. Lisa Bromley (Dec 5, 2023)

Inpatient Addiction Consultation Services (PDF) – Dr. Mark Greenberg (Nov 1, 2023)

Urban RAAM Clinics Serving Indigenous Populations (PDF) – Subo Awan (Oct 3, 2023)

Crystal Methamphetamine Lived Experience (PDF) – Katie Dunham, Angela Steffen (Sept 6, 2023)

Mental Health in RAAM Clinics (PDF) – Dr. Tanya Hauck (June 6, 2023)

Eating Disorders and SUD (PDF) – Elizabeth Phoenix (May 3, 2023)

The Critical Role of Peer Support in Addiction Medicine (PDF) – Jennifer Eyeford, Eden Gustafson, Alex Naylor (Mar 1, 2023)

Community Withdrawal Support Program (PDF) – Adam McInnis (Feb 7, 2023)

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal (PDF) – Dr. Mark Weiss (Jan 11, 2023)

Supervised Consumption Sites (PDF) – Tali Cahill (November 2, 2022)

Working with Hepatitis C Patients (PDF) – Monique Goudreau

Hepatitis C: Screening, Assessment and Treatment (PDF) – Cheryl Dale (October 7, 2022)

NW Ontario RAAM (PDF) – Pia Heikkinen, Christina Henry (September 9, 2022)

Standing Strong Together NW RAAM Toolkit (PDF) (complete version)

Medical Abortion Care (PDF) – Debbie Champ NP (April 6, 2022)

Toronto Drug Checking Service (PDF) – Hayley Thompson (March 9, 2022)

RAAM Environmental Scan Results (PDF) – Kate Hardy (February 9, 2022)

Covid Carry Guidelines (PDF) – Jennifer Wyman MD (January 12, 2022)

Healing with Hope (PDF) – Nicole Welsh PHC-NP (November 10, 2021)

Sex Trafficking (PDF) – Tara Leach PHC-NP (September 8, 2021)

ETOH Withdrawal in the ED (PDF) – Hilary Weatherby RN (PDF) (May 12, 2021)

Methadone Basics (PDF) – Patty Wilson PHC-NP (April 14, 2021)

Slow-Release Oral Morphine (March 10, 2021)

SROM: From Guidelines to Practice (PDF) – Heather Taylor NP

SROM for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (PDF) – Sameer Gill RN

Meds, Moods and Comorbidities (PDF) – Jared Bonis NP, Dr. Tara Leary (February 10, 2021)

Resources/strategies to support vulnerable and marginalized patients in RAAM clinics (PDF) – Christina Henry RN BA BScN (July 8, 2020)

Community Team Approaches to Mental Health Services and Wellness Promotion (PDF) – Radhika Shastri RN (December 11, 2019)

Crystal Meth Use Among gbMSM: Discussion of Findings and Recommendations from OHTN’s Crystal Meth Think Tank (PDF) – Irene Njoroge RN APN MPH(C) (October 9, 2019)

Grief: Supportive Counselling in the RAAM Clinic (PDF) – Irene Njoroge RN APN MPH(C) (September 12, 2019)

Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence (PDF) – Michelle Bobola RN (July 19, 2019)

Cannabis (PDF) – Lauren Scott NP-PHC (May 18, 2019)

Seeking Safety (PDF) – Leslie Molnar MSW (April 10, 2019)

Crystal Meth and Sex (PDF) – Vincent Francoeur (Nov 10, 2023)

Smoking Cessation in RAAM Clinics (PDF) – Lisa Jauhal, Rachel Samuel, Serene Da Silva (Sept 8, 2023)

Understanding ADHD and Addiction (PDF) – Dr. Blanca Bolea (June 9, 2023)

Opioid Use Among Seniors (PDF), Abbey Pain Scale (PDF), CGJ Opioid Use Disorder – Marilyn White-Campbell (May 12, 2023)

Invisible Disability: Substance Use and Brain Injury (PDF) – Dr. Carolyn Lemsky (March 10, 2023)

Eating Disorders and Substance Use Disorder (PDF) – Elizabeth Phoenix (Feb 10, 2023)

Geriatric Considerations for Older Adults with SUDs (PDF) – Marilyn White-Campbell (Dec 9, 2022), Cannabis Infographic (PDF), CGJ Alcohol Guidelines 2020, CGJ Cannabis Guidelines 2020

Diet and Health – Delroy Johnson (PDF) (Oct. 14, 2022)

Cannabis Use Disorder (PDF) – Dr. Ashok Krishnamurthy (March 11, 2022)

Virtual Intensive Treatment Program (PDF) – Renascent (Dec. 10, 2021)

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (PDF) – Leslie Molnar (Sept. 10, 2021)

Sound and Breath (PDF) – Delroy Johnson (June 11, 2021)

Mindfulness (PDF) – Robyn Alexander (May 14, 2021)

Art-based Therapy for Substance Use (PDF) – Vicki Forward (April 9, 2021)

Neurobiology of Addiction (PDF) – Dr. Ashok Krishnamurthy (March 12, 2021)
Recording (.mp4 Video)

Caring for the Caregiver: Caregiver Sustainability (PDF) – Delroy Johnson MA RP (September 11, 2020)

Working with Precontemplation (PDF) – Leslie Molnar MSW RSW (June 12, 2020)

Crystal Meth Use Among gbMSM:Discussion of findings and recommendations from OHTN’s Crystal Meth Think Tank (PDF) – Leslie Molnar MSW RSW (February 14, 2020)

Mindfulness (PDF) – Robyn Alexander MSW RSW (PDF) (January 10, 2020)
Sample MBRP Group Guidelines (PDF)

Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Care Centre (SA/DVCC) Services & Supporting Clients Through Disclosures of Violence (PDF) – Emma Moore MSW RSW, Rekha John MSW RSW (October 11, 2019)

Motivational Interviewing (PDF) – Dr. Julie Henderson (June 14, 2019)

OUD Medication Primer (PDF) – Dr. Meldon Kahan (April 12, 2019)

Women and Substance Use (Part 2) (PDF) – Leslie Molnar MSW RSW (March 8, 2019)

Women and Substance Use (Part 1) (PDF) – Leslie Molnar MSW RSW (February 8, 2019)

Seeking Safety in RAAM Clinics (PDF) – Leslie Molnar MSW RSW (January 11, 2019)

Enhancing One-Meeting Potentials: An Introduction to Single-Session Practice in Healthcare (PDF) – Leslie Molnar MSW RSW (November 9, 2018)

OUD in Pregnancy (PDF) – Dr. Suzanne Turner (Dec 13, 2022)

Fighting the Fentanyl Dragon (PDF) – Dr. Mel Kahan (Nov 8, 2022)

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal (PDF) – Dr. Mark Weiss (Oct 12, 2022)

Substance Use in Youth Justice Settings (PDF) – Dr. Lori Regenstreif (June 14, 2022)

Real World Experience with Depot Buprenorphine at the London RAAM Clinic (PDF) – Dr. Ken Lee (May 10, 2022)

The Tooth, the Whole Tooth, and Nothing But the Tooth (April 12, 2022):
Part 1 (PDF) – Dr. Chetan Mehta
Part 2 (PDF) – Dr. Sam Frydman

Toronto Drug Checking Service (PDF) – Hayley Thompson (March 8, 2022)

Carries in the Post-Pandemic World (PDF) – Dr. Jennifer Wyman (February 8, 2022)

Addictions Medicine Unit at Health Sciences North (PDF) – Dr. Tara Leary (December 14, 2021)

Management of Alcohol and Opioid Problems in Hospitals (PDF) – Dr. Meldon Kahan (November 9, 2021)

Breaking Free (October 12, 2021):
Breaking Free: Addressing SUDs Through Digital Innovation (PDF) – Glyn Davies, Breaking Free Group
Breaking Free Online: Communication for RAAM Clinics (PDF) – Steve Mathew, ON Health, and Glyn Davies, Breaking Free Group

Hospital Depot Buprenorphine Administration (PDF) – Dr. Louisa Marion-Bellemare, Dr. Julie Samson (June 8, 2021)

ED Visits for Alcohol-related Reasons (PDF) – Dr. Hasan Sheikh (April 13, 2021)