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Dan Werb

PhD

Scientist

Email: Daniel.Werb@unityhealth.to
Twitter: @dmwerb

Research Programs

Biography

Dan Werb, PhD, is an epidemiologist and policy analyst with expertise in overdose, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), addictions, and drug policy. Dr. Werb is a Research Scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (LKSKI) at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. He is also an Assistant Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases & Global Public Health at the University of California, San Diego. Dr.Werb is Director of the Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, a recognized global leader in cutting edge policy research and communications. Dr. Werb has published dozens of studies on issues related to health policy and addictions, with a focus on preventing the transition of street youth into injection drug use, as well as on identifying the impact of policy and public health interventions on street-based drug-using populations.

Please note: Dr. Werb is not taking any summer students.

 

Recent Publications

  1. Karamouzian, M, Hwang, SW, Werb, D. Beyond encampments: an evidence-based path to solving Canada's homelessness crisis. Lancet Reg Health Am. 2026;55 :101362. doi: 10.1016/j.lana.2025.101362. PubMed PMID:41551298 PubMed Central PMC12805136.
  2. Ali, F, Chellew Paternostro, S, Imtiaz, S, Russell, C, Asbridge, M, Degenhardt, L et al.. Framing decriminalization: A mixed-methods study on media narratives, government resources, misinformation, and public support of British Columbia's drug decriminalization policy. Int J Drug Policy. 2026;148 :105123. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.105123. PubMed PMID:41475158 .
  3. Khalili, M, Sadeghirad, B, Bach, P, Crabtree, A, Javadi, S, Sadeghi, E et al.. Management of Amphetamine and Methamphetamine Use Disorders: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials. Int J Ment Health Addict. 2025;23 (6):4768-4786. doi: 10.1007/s11469-024-01379-w. PubMed PMID:41394525 PubMed Central PMC12698752.
  4. Do, U, Larney, S, Bonn, M, Matei, I, Zolopa, C, Bergeron, A et al.. A scoping review and concept analysis to inform Canada's safe(r) opioid supply research agenda. Int J Drug Policy. 2026;147 :105070. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.105070. PubMed PMID:41289797 .
  5. Ali, F, Law, J, Russell, C, Imtiaz, S, Bayoumi, A, Werb, D et al.. Exploring unregulated substance use health data in Ontario, Canada: Identifying gaps, addressing challenges, and uncovering opportunities. Front Public Health. 2025;13 :1477539. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1477539. PubMed PMID:40936807 PubMed Central PMC12422062.
  6. Nafeh, F, Martignetti, L, Kolla, G, Bonn, M, Falah Langeroodi, SM, Urbanoski, K et al.. Safer opioid supply clients' values and preferences: a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative research. BMJ Ment Health. 2025;28 (1):. doi: 10.1136/bmjment-2025-301629. PubMed PMID:40713062 PubMed Central PMC12306296.
  7. Nafeh, F, Mbichila, T, Bouck, Z, Scheim, A, Mitra, S, Bonn, M et al.. A Preliminary Assessment of Short-Term Social and Substance Use-Related Outcomes Among Clients of Integrated Safer Opioid Supply Pilot Programs in Toronto, Canada. Int J Ment Health Addict. 2025;23 (3):2105-2115. doi: 10.1007/s11469-023-01219-3. PubMed PMID:40703247 PubMed Central PMC12279591.
  8. Nafeh, F, Martignetti, L, Strike, C, Kolla, G, Bonn, M, Brunelle, C et al.. Barriers and facilitators to safer supply pilot program implementation in Canada: a qualitative assessment of service provider perspectives. Harm Reduct J. 2025;22 (1):68. doi: 10.1186/s12954-025-01177-0. PubMed PMID:40296096 PubMed Central PMC12039088.
  9. Ondocsin, J, Moran, L, Ciccarone, D, Outram, S, Werb, D, Holm, N et al.. "Everyone says 'safe sex' but no one ever says 'safe drugs', you know?": Perspectives on the intersection of drug checking services, drug policy and the overdose crisis. PLoS One. 2025;20 (4):e0321574. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321574. PubMed PMID:40245047 PubMed Central PMC12005539.
  10. Nassau, T, Bouck, Z, Welles, SL, Evans, AA, Hopkins, S, Tookey, P et al.. A quantitative bias analysis of the association between supervised consumption service use and sharing of injection equipment among people who inject drugs in Toronto, Canada. Ann Epidemiol. 2025;106 :11-16. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2025.04.009. PubMed PMID:40233868 .
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Affiliations & Other Activities

  • Assistant Professor, Division of Global Public Health, University of California San Diego Director, International Centre for Science in Drug Policy