Pubdate: Wed, 27 Sep 2017
Source: Northumberland Today (CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 Sun Media
Contact: http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/letters
Website: http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5003
Author: Valerie MacDonald
Page: A2

PREPARING TO BATTLE THE RISE OF OPIATES

PORT HOPE - A detailed report about how the local health unit is
battling opioid overdoses and fatalities does not yet include a safe
injection site like the one established this summer after a volunteer
pop-up tent appeared in Toronto.

After receiving the Medical Officer of Health's (MOH) report about how
the inventory, supply and control of Naloxone has been established and
the first "pop up" Naloxone community event was held at the hospital
in Lindsay last month, board members of the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine
Ridge District Health Unit asked if there were plans in place to react
to a "pop-up" safe injection site should it occur in the health unit's
own tri-county jurisdiction.

Noseworthy said a plan was being but that this was contingent on
provincial funding. She said a staff report would be coming to the
board.

Dr. Lynn Noseworthy was also asked what preparations the health unit
was putting in place to offer information to area residents about
recreational marijuana use when it is made legal next year.

Likening the coming use of legal, recreational, marijuana use to
cigarettes, board member Andrea Roberts asked what quantities would be
advised, for example, and other relevant information.

"We are working on messaging," Noseworthy replied.

Normally, the MOH added, the Health Ministry will provide resources
and training for health unit staff members when changes like this take
place.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt