Pubdate: Mon, 22 Jun 2015
Source: Observer, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015, Sarnia Observer
Contact: http://www.theobserver.ca/letters
Website: http://www.theobserver.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1676
Author: Tyler Kula
Page: A1

PLANNING TO REDUCE HARM

A health association and methadone clinic are teaming up to not only
give northern Lambton County residents better access to methadone, but
also to develop support programs for people trying to curb opioid drug
dependency.

The North Lambton Community Health Centre recently set up a satellite
methadone treatment program, partnering with the Bluewater Methadone
Clinic, to give better access to people who would otherwise have to
drive in to Sarnia for the opioid replacement drug, said Kathy
Bresette, the health centre's executive director.

That kind of travel can get expensive, she said, especially for people
who've been sinking money into drugs.

The partnership makes use of videoconferencing equipment at the health
centre's Forest and Kettle Point sites, so clients can conference with
Dr. Del Donald at the methadone clinic, Bresette said.

"So it's an extension of the Bluewater methadone program in a rural
setting," she said. "We're hoping to reduce that barrier of
transportation for people." Nursing staff have also been trained in
case management, she said.

"So we can bring (Donald's) programs from Sarnia out here and kind of
deliver them in the same manner, under his guidance."

But stopping at better access isn't enough, she said.

Plans are to make "a comprehensive care approach to clients who are
utilizing those services."

That means working with clients to find out what sort of supports they
might need to get back on their feet - like help with exercise, food
preparation, or counseling, she said.

It's about putting the clients at the centre of their care, she
said.

"Hopefully by late fall we'll have at least some programs
starting."

The program is part of a new harm reduction philosophy adopted by the
centre, she said, looking at the origins of substance abuse and taking
people's background into account when managing addictions.

That was inspired by recent indigenous cultural competency training,
via the University of British Columbia and Western University,
Bresette said.

It "really provided some good training for our staff to be looking at
the trauma that people face that can lead to addictions."

Looking at root causes like childhood trauma or residential school
trauma can be helpful in finding the proper supports to help people
recover from substance dependency, she said.

"Sometimes people don't have many supports, and we offer that in a
community setting to help people get where they need to be," she said.

Plans are to work with partners like the Canadian Mental Health
Association, municipalities and others to offer the programming, she
said.

"We're hoping to do more in the area of harm reduction," she said. "I
think this is a good place to start."
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MAP posted-by: Matt