Pubdate: Sat, 12 Mar 2016
Source: Recorder & Times, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Recorder and Times
Contact: http://www.recorder.ca/letters
Website: http://www.recorder.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2216
Author: Nick Gardiner
Page: A1

ATTACK ON LOCAL DRUG PROBLEMS PROPOSED

CARDINAL - A fledgling community drug initiative spanning three South 
Grenville municipalities is moving quickly to address widespread 
concerns, says proponent Karie Smail.

The Cardinal-ward councillor for Edwardsburgh-Cardinal Township has 
been instrumental in getting talks off the ground for the project and 
is pleased to see the enthusiasm brought to the table by various parties.

Concerned municipal leaders, officials with supporting agencies and 
Grenville County Ontario Provincial Police detachment commander 
Inspector Bill Bolton have jumped on board with a determination to 
make a difference, she said.

"It's important we do something before it gets worse," said Smail, a 
volunteer with the Boy Scouts and Cardinal Youth Centre who has seen 
what drugs can do to young lives.

Smail said the prevalence of fentanyl abuse "is huge in the area" 
while drugs such as cocaine and crystal meth are also commonly used.

Fentanyl patches prescribed for pain relief have filled the void left 
after oxycontin became less available, said Smail.

What's more, the patches are easily cut into sections and can be 
shared by a small group.

Smail would ultimately like to see the medical community require 
patients who use fentanyl to produce an old patch for every new patch 
they receive.

In the meantime, though, developing a website and planning public 
events capable of drawing youth and their families are key to raising 
visibility and spreading the word about the risks of drug use, she said.

"It's important to get kids talking. Peer-to-peer conversation is 
much better than an adult talking to them," said Smail.

Start-up funding is being sought from the three municipalities, which 
have all pledged at least $2,500 to the cause.

Prescott mayor Brett Todd has been an active voice at the early 
meetings and his support for a funding contribution during a recent 
council meeting was matched by council colleagues.

Todd said he is encouraged by the response that brought people from 
different walks of life with a range of resources together for a 
common purpose. "It gets everybody around the table talking," said Todd.

A short two years ago, a similar effort failed due to lack of 
interest, said Jennifer Adams, harm reduction program coordinator 
with the Leeds, Grenville and District Health Unit.

Adams, who sat for a couple of years on a provincial harm reduction 
network, helps facilitate the meetings and is encouraged by a 
positive, multi-sector response to the initiative.

A lot can change in a short time and there have been major advances 
in the understanding of addiction during the interim that help make 
the case for a program, she said.

At the same time, use has increased of dangerous drugs such as 
fentanyl and crystal meth on local streets.

Combined with a move towards legalizing marijuana by the federal 
government, the public is more focused on drug awareness at a time 
when it is sorely needed, she said.

Adams also worked on a similar venture for the health unit in Lanark 
County a few years ago and says that experience can provide some 
direction for discussions in South Grenville.

One thing is clear for people in the grip of drugs, she said: "It's 
an addiction and there's no short-term, quick-fix. It has to follow 
the disease process and that ebbs and flows."

Educating the public about the process is part of an initiative Adams 
expects will move forward quickly toward tangible developments.

The next step is selecting a steering committee during the next 
public meeting April 13 at the Ruth Evanson Room in Prescott's town hall.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom