Oxford group targets prevention in face of drug overdose increase

To raise awareness of what it calls an “alarming increase in drug overdoses globally,” a regional organization has prioritized key areas of focus as it looks to expand support for at-risk people living in Oxford County.

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The Oxford Mental Health and Addictions Action Coalition – founded in 2022 and including members from several community organizations addressing mental health and substance abuse – has identified four areas on which it intends to focus during the next two years to increase services in the county, and shared them at an international overdose awareness day event held in Woodstock’s Museum Square on Thursday.

The four areas of focus are:

• primary prevention and health promotion efforts to address risks and protective factors to prevent substance abuse and mental health concerns
• Strengthening and exploring low-barrier pathways to support individuals to expand housing, harm reduction and housing initiatives.
• Enhancing treatment services related to substance abuse, mental health and sexual assault.
• Addressing community safety by fostering partnerships among first responders and community-based organizations.

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“We want to generate awareness among members of the community and other organizations throughout the community. . . to address and discuss mental health and addiction concerns,” coalition co-chair Peter Heywood said.

International overdose awareness day is marked annually on Aug. 31 to raise awareness about drug overdoses globally and reduce stigma surrounding substance abuse disorders. The coalition held its event on Thursday.

About 100 people showed up, Heywood said. Along with sharing its key areas of focus, the coalition provided naloxone training and held a memorial for those in the community who have died due to overdoses, he added.

Thursday’s overdose awareness event comes in the wake of the provincial government’s recent announcement that 10 supervised drug-use sites in the province would be shuttered.

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Heywood said the coalition hasn’t had an opportunity to discuss the closings, but would at its September meeting.

“Harm reduction is really about meeting people where they’re at, and so it is an important element that the action coalition does support,” Heywood said.

Last year, Woodstock – located in Oxford County – was eyed for a possible supervised drug-use site, but staunch opposition from residents and city council put an end to the search for a site.

Ninh Tran, Southwestern Public Health’s medical officer of health, said although he recommended the facility to curb overdoses in the region due to “a toxic drug supply,” the provincial government’s recent announcement to open homeless and addiction recovery treatment (HART) hubs, offer those facing substance abuse have a chance for rehabilitation.

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“We do have an opportunity, as the government is focusing on the HART hubs, that we can’t miss, because it’s treatment,” Tran said. “Recovery is also really critical, and there’s significant investments provincially.”

The province recently announced it will invest $378 million in 19 locations that will offer primary care, mental health and addiction help, social services, beds and supportive housing. However, they won’t offer safer supply, supervised drug consumption or needle exchange programs.

Heywood said the coalition’s achievements so far include involvement its increasing addiction support at Woodstock Hospital, the addition of 25 emergency beds at a county shelter and the expansion of sexual health services.

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“It’s been a wonderful action coalition,” he said. “It’s progressive, it’s proactive, and it’s a really strong and forward way of coming together to address substance use in our community.”

Southwestern Public Health, which includes St. Thomas and Elgin County as well as Oxford County, has reported 15 deaths, 24 hospital admissions and 175 emergency department visits so far this year related to opioids across its region, according to data on the website.

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