Pubdate: Mon, 07 Nov 2016
Source: Sun Times, The (Owen Sound, CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Owen Sound Sun Times
Contact: http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/letters
Website: http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1544
Author: Don Crosby
Page: A1

METH TASK FORCE ADAPTING TO CHANGE

Despite a decline in area crystal meth operations the substance
continues to arrive from large urban centres in other forms that are
part of a larger drug problem.

"It's coming in a pill form and it's also coming in and being mixed
with other chemicals . . . for example in marijuana," said Barb Fedy,
co-chair of the Grey Bruce Task Force on Crystal Meth and Other Drugs
during a recent presentation to Bruce County council.

"We recognize that we have more than just (crystal) meth to deal with;
it's a bigger more complex issue. We're looking at a broader scope,
multiple forms of drugs and recognizing that different communities
have different forms of problems. But the strategies that we are
building we want to use in all communities in Grey and Bruce counties."

Fedy, who is the director of Grey County Social Services, was
accompanied by Alison Govier, coordinator of the task force. She was
hired last year to provide planning and coordination support for the
task force and its working groups by assisting with strategic
planning, priority setting and project development and
implementation.

Govier said the task force is undertaking research on the subject of
drug use in the area and comparing it with other data sources with the
view to-assessing future programs.

"We are also convening work groups around opioid use and overdose and
working with public health in terms of supporting harm reduction
initiatives."

She said there is evidence of fentanyl abuse in the community but was
unable to give numbers to indicate how widespread it is.

Fedy said the goal of the task force continues to be to prevent
substance use and misuse with targeted initiatives in communities, but
it is developing a broader strategy.

"We are looking at opening the door to more than just crystal meth; it
would allow us to take a broader scope of how we're going to work with
community partners and find a strategy that does work," she said.

As part of the expanded programs new partners being invited to discuss
new initiatives.

"An EMS responder should be at our table; they are dealing with
someone who has issues with addictions," Fedy said. "It's part of
their day to day work. We need to engage them as well and we have
opened that door and we're bringing new partners in. "

Govier referred to the services provided by the Rapid Access Addiction
Medicine Clinic started in January of this year at the Owen Sound
hospital to assist people who are struggling with alcohol and opiate
addictions.

Fedy said the Southwest Local Integration Health Network is funding
two positions in Owen and Walkerton court.

"When someone is charged with a drug related offence there is an
opportunity to work more closely with our worker to determine that
they could have a sentence that would reflect their commitment to
treatment. Their opportunity to think about treatment options present
themselves when the worker is present in the courtroom," said Fedy.

Saugeen Shores Mayor Mike Smith said he was pleased to see how the
task force is moving forward with the ongoing challenges as well as
the involvement of the LIHN.

"It's nice to see that the LHIN is stepping up and getting involved, "
he said.
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MAP posted-by: Matt