London, ON – With data gathered from public consultations and the recent recognition of a provincial public health emergency, the Middlesex-London Health Unit and its partners are setting the groundwork for the next phase of the local drug crisis response.
With the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s announcement that Ontario was facing a public health emergency, the Minister also moved to allow temporary Overdose Prevention Sites, which would prevent deaths by allowing drugs to be consumed in a safer environment.
The provincial announcement comes at a time when initial data from recent local public consultations about Supervised Consumption Facilities (SCF) indicates the importance of having integrated services linking to wraparound support, treatment and rehabilitation. Key benefits, including reducing the risk of injury and death, as well as linking people who use drugs to the services they need, were also identified at the public meetings. The consultation process also highlighted challenges, including the need for adequate funding for SCFs and that such facilities could have a negative impact on the community’s reputation.
“Supervised Consumption Facilities alone are not going to end the drug crisis. Londoners clearly recognize that, and want these facilities to offer links with other services,” says Dr. Christopher Mackie, Medical Officer of Health and CEO of the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “With the input of neighbourhoods where the need is greatest, combined with new tools that will allow us to begin this work, we are now closer to being able to implement solutions for those at greatest risk.”
While the establishment of SCFs is still months away, the recognition of a public health emergency makes it possible for immediate temporary action in the form of Overdose Prevention Sites. Partners have initiated a search for a suitable temporary location, as an immediate response to the provincial announcement. The Health Unit and its partners expect to make an announcement about the site, including location and hours of operation, in the coming weeks.
“This is a life and death matter, and I am pleased with the provincial announcement to support immediate opening of Overdose Prevention Sites,” says Sonja Burke, Director of Counterpoint Harm Reduction Services at Regional HIV/AIDS Connection. “It’s a definitive statement that every life is valuable and harm reduction is a critical part of the addictions continuum.”
“Every death due to overdose is tragic and preventable, so we appreciate the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for taking new steps to meet this deepening crisis,” said Scott Courtice, Executive Director of the London InterCommuntiy Health Centre. “We stand ready to support the leadership of the Health Unit in addressing the crisis here in London.”
Additional data released December 18th by the Public Health Agency of Canada indicates that the opioid crisis continues to worsen nationally. In the first half of 2017, at least 1,460 people died in Canada due to opioid-related overdoses; the number could rise to more than 4,000 once year-end data is analysed, greatly exceeding the 2,861 deaths recorded in 2016.
For more information about opioid drugs and the local crisis, visit www.healthunit.com/opioids
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit,
519-663-5317 ext. 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)
Spokesperson:
Dr. Christopher Mackie, Medical officer of Health and CEO, Middlesex-London Health Unit