40 people in the Halton Region died from drug overdoses in 2018.

News 100 blueBy Staff

June 4th, 2019

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Since the beginning of this year, the Halton Regional Police Service has seen an increase in the number of suspected opioid overdoses in the communities they serve. Each of these overdoses comes with its own emotional and physical toll.

Across the country, an estimated 4,400 people died after apparent opioid overdoses in 2018. Each of these lives — the lives of mothers, sons, brothers, daughters, fathers, sisters and friends — makes the opioid crisis a significant public safety concern.

Halton Region is not immune to the impact of the opioid crisis that is devastating communities from coast to coast. While our Region has not experienced the same scope of overdoses and deaths as other parts of the country, Halton has been significantly impacted.

The opioid crisis does not distinguish between age, socio-economic, gender, geography or cultural boundaries.

We recognize that the impact of opioid use will be a long-term challenge for the community. This is why the Halton Regional Police Service is working collaboratively with stakeholders to develop and deliver comprehensive strategies and interventions to address the issues related to the illicit use, misuse or abuse of opioids in our community.

This includes work across various sectors to build resiliency in all four municipalities through the Halton Region – Community Safety & Well-Being Plan.

If you have a friend or family member who uses drugs, these tips may help save a life in the event of an overdose:

• Never use alone. If an overdose occurs, having another person nearby can save your life.
• Remember that any drug can be cut with, or contaminated by, other agents or drugs (e.g. fentanyl), which in very small amounts can be harmful or fatal. Know your tolerance and always use a small amount of a drug first to check the strength.
• Carry naloxone, a drug that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. Naloxone is available free-of-charge in Halton at:
o Halton Region clinics (in Acton, Burlington, Georgetown, Milton and Oakville) and Halton Region Needle Exchange Program (Exchange Works)
o Some local pharmacies. To find a pharmacy that distributes naloxone, visit the Ontario government’s Where to get a free naloxone kit web page.
• Don’t run. Call 9-1-1. An overdose is a medical emergency. Know the signs of an overdose and call 9-1-1 right away. Our frontline officers, and other first responders in Halton, carry naloxone and we want to assist. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act provides broad legal protections for anyone seeking emergency support during an overdose, including the person experiencing an overdose. This means citizens, including youth, will not be charged for offences such as simple possession for calling 9-11 in an emergency.

“The Halton Regional Police Service recognizes that addressing the devastating impacts of the opioid crisis requires a holistic, long-term, collaborative approach. We are leveraging all internal resources and taking all measures to actively investigate and prosecute those responsible for trafficking in illicit narcotics,” said Chief Stephen Tanner.

“In parallel, we continue to work with strategic partners to further our understanding of the upstream factors that contribute to this issue. Our community demands and deserves the best from us, and their well-being and safety is our priority.”

Last year, 40 people in Halton died from an opioid overdose. Each of these deaths matters greatly, and is preventable. We want to talk about opioid overdoses – to reduce the stigma against people who use drugs, and to ensure that people who use drugs get the support they need.

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Halton Regional Police Chief Stephen Tanner

“We are already working to ensure that people who use drugs, their families and friends, can access free naloxone through our clinic and outreach programs, and to equip first responders in Halton to carry naloxone which saves lives.

“This is a complex issue that requires a community wide response. We are committed to working together with our partners on a local response.” Said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health]

Resources for those with addictions
We encourage all parents to have open and frank conversations with their children about the very significant risks and dangers associated with the use of any illicit drug, and in particular opioids. There are many online resources available, including the website drugfreekidscanada.org.

There are agencies and supports in place within our community to assist individuals suffering from addictions, and their families, including:

ADAPT – Halton Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Assessment Prevention & Treatment Services
ADAPT is a non-profit, community-based, outpatient addiction, assessment and treatment agency funded by the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and the United Way to provide a range of services throughout the Halton Region. ADAPT is dedicated to empowering persons with alcohol, drug and/or gambling concerns, and their families, to manage these concerns and to lead fulfilling lives through the provision of comprehensive assessment and treatment services, corresponding to need. ADAPT’s services and programs are available for adults and youth and include:

• Assessment, Treatment and Referral Services (Adult)
Days Ahead Program – Assessment, Treatment and Referral Services (Youth)
• Community Justice Programs
• Know the D.E.A.L. Program (Youth)

For more information about ADAPT services or to book an appointment, call the Intake Desk at 905-639-6537 ext. 0. If this is long distance, call 905-693-4250 ext. 0. Collect calls are also accepted. Hours of operation are from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association) – Halton Region Branch
CMHA provides support for mental health and addictions through education programs, free walk-in counselling programs, crisis intervention through the Crisis Outreach and Support team (COAST program), support and peer-support programs.

For more information on CMHA services call 905-693-4270 or toll-free 1-877-693-4270.

If someone is experiencing a mental health crisis:
• Call COAST at 1-877-825-9011 (TTY: 1-844-646-1700)
• Go to the nearest hospital, or
• Call 9-1-1

Connex Ontario
Provides free and confidential health service information for people experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs, mental illness and/or gambling. Information and referral services are live-answer 24/7, confidential, and free: 1-866-531-2600

Halton RAAM (Rapid Access to Addiction Medicine) Clinic
The Halton RAAM Clinic provides evidence-based addiction medicine treatments for a variety of substance-use disorders, including alcohol, opioids, tobacco, and benzodiazepine tapering.

The clinic accepts referrals from any source, including self-referral, and patients can also arrive on a walk-in basis. Call 1-888-388-7226 for an appointment.

Halton Region Exchange Works program
Exchange Works is a program of Halton Region’s Harm Reduction Services. As part of this program, outreach workers and public health nurses operate a mobile outreach service in Halton Region that involves:

• Exchanging used injection/smoking supplies for new injection/smoking supplies
• Providing health information to clients
• Distributing safer sex supplies
• Referring clients to community agencies that have the tools to help access rehabs
Services offered:
• Safer injection supplies
• Safer steroid supplies
• Safer inhalation supplies
• Safer sex supplies
• Nasal naloxone training and kits
• Education
• Written information and referrals
• STI and HIV testing, along with Hep A + B vaccines
• Presentations (by request)

You can access Exchange Works by:
• Texting or calling mobile outreach services (on a confidential cell phone)

Mobile Outreach Services
905-330-3305 (North Halton: 905-702-4200)
Monday-Thursday 4:30-8:30 p.m.
• Visiting one of the Halton Region clinics.

Needle exchange services available at Burlington and Oakville clinics
Monday-Friday 1-4 p.m

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