In addition to categorizing opioid users with regards to their demographics, there are emerging trends regarding the types and sources of opioid drugs. A Canadian multisite cohort study, OPICAN, investigated opioid use patterns of untreated opioid users in 6 major Canadian cities (Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, Fredericton and Quebec cities) [2]. The most commonly used opioids in these Canadian cities were heroin, codeine (Tylenol 3 or 4), street methadone, hydromorphone, and oxycodone (Percodan, OxyContin) [25]. The non-medical use of prescription opioids, including meperidine, morphine, and oxycodone, were common in Toronto and Edmonton yet only comprised a small minority of opioid use in the other locations [1], which can be explained by differences in users’ preferences or the availability of these drugs in the various regions.
