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Despite the availability of harm reduction services in the region, the rate of all opioid-related harms in the region have been rising since 2016 and surpass the provincial rate
Following dynamic conversation about a recent feasibility study about the need for consumption and treatment services (CTS) in the Southwestern Public Health region, its Board of Health indicated unanimous support for the recommendations contained within.
“Each member of this Board witnesses almost daily the harms of the opioid crisis in our region,” says Board Chair Joe Preston, who also serves as the Mayor of St. Thomas. “We support the staff looking into this further, consulting businesses, service providers and community members about how to build and support a model may reverse some of what we’re seeing locally.”
The study, An Exploration of the Need for and Feasibility of Consumption and Treatment Services in the Southwestern Public Health Region, indicates support for consumption and treatment services locally from people with lived experience of substance use, municipal partners, and most of the community members who participated. Strong preference was indicated for an embedded delivery model rather than a standalone service, with additional services such as mental health and treatment available on site.
“Our external advisory committee comprised of people with lived experience and representatives of fifteen community and public sector organizations reviewed the study and came up with five recommendations and next steps. Opening consumption and treatment services in any community is a long journey that requires careful consultation, strong community-wide collaboration and an ardent belief that we can and should do better for people with substance use disorders,” says Dr. Ninh Tran, Medical Officer of Health for Oxford County, Elgin County and the City of St. Thomas.
These recommendations and next steps include:
- SWPH to consult with local partners on the feasibility and application process requirements of the organizations considering operating a CTS service in the region;
- SWPH to support discussions using local data and study findings to consider potential locations that could host CTS; this potential location must meet the requirements for Federal approval and Provincial funding;
- Pending outcome of consultation process, SWPH to obtain Letters of Support from the respective cities and host locations;
- SWPH to conduct further education, consultation and data collection with general community, business owners/operators, Indigenous community partners, municipalities and other partners on the purpose and expected impacts of CTS;
- SWPH supports providers interested in operating a CTS to complete the Federal Exemption Application and the Provincial Funding Application.
“This is a very complex issue that requires solutions that consider many aspects of support – prevention and treatment, rehabilitation, and housing as well,” adds Preston. “I thank my colleagues at the table for their careful consideration of the recommendations outlined in this study as a starting place for how to help address this crisis in our communities.”
The full report, including the recommendations of the External Advisory Committee, can be found online at www.swpublichealth.ca/cts.
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