The Crystal Meth Task Force is expanding its mandate to tackle complex health issues surrounding drug and alcohol use to reduce harms associated with substance use in Bruce and Grey Counties. As part of the transition, the Grey Bruce Task Force on Crystal Meth and Other Drugs is changing its name to the Community Drug & Alcohol Strategy.

In Bruce and Grey counties, emergency room visits related to substance use increased by 65% between 2002 and 2015. Alcohol was involved in the majority of the cases, followed by opioid use. Not captured in the healthcare data are other associated social and health conditions that perpetuate the cycle of addiction such as chronic pain, mental health problems, trauma, lack of safe and affordable housing and social isolation.

"Stigma plays a big part in preventing people from getting the support they need, both at the individual level and at the policy level. As a community, we need to be aware that substance misuse is a complex health issue, not a moral one," says David Roy, Co-Chair of the Community Drug & Alcohol Strategy and Program Director of Addiction Services at HopeGreyBruce.

Roy and Sarah Ellis, Public Health Manager at Grey Bruce Public Health, are speaking to municipal councils to increase awareness about the root causes of opioid addiction and local strategies to prevent overdose. Deputations to county councils are scheduled for December 14, 2017 (Grey County) and January 4, 2018 (Bruce County).

In the new year, community consultations across Bruce and Grey counties will be held to help the group develop shared priorities for addressing substance related harms locally.

A network of over 30 local partners contribute to the work of the Community Drug & Alcohol Strategy. Funding from both Grey County and Bruce County supports a full-time Coordinator.

source: media release, Community Drug & Alcohol Strategy