A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Task force takes a multi-partnership approach
By: The OxyContin and Other Prescription Opiates task force
The headlines keep on repeating themselves across the country: “Pharmacy robbed at gunpoint for OxyContin”, “Break-ins linked to OxyContin”, “Hillbilly heroin claims another life”.
Abuse of OxyContin and other prescribed opioids is on the rise. Why? It could be because Oxy is readily available by prescription, or because there is a perception that prescribed drugs are “safer” than illicit drugs. Either way, the current situation is quickly spiraling into an epidemic.
The misuse of opioids, such as OxyContin, is complex. In recent years, the Cornwall Community Police has noticed a shift in the drug of choice. Users are moving away from typical “street drugs” and are now choosing prescription opioids. Recognizing that the problem is too complex to be tackled at an enforcement level alone, the Cornwall Community Police approached the Eastern Ontario Health Unit with the issue.
Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health recommended the creation of a task force made up of representatives from local health, community, justice and education sectors. Today, the OxyContin and Other Prescription Opioids task force is working hard to increase public awareness, improve mechanisms for information sharing, and build stronger collaboration among the medical and policing communities. To maximize the resources and knowledge of task force members, three subgroups have been created: the Community Awareness subgroup, the Physicians and Pharmacists subgroup and the Treatment and Support subgroup.
The Community Awareness subgroup’s goal is to ensure that the community at large is aware and informed of the OxyContin and opioid abuse problem. Some of the actions taken include the recent newspaper article series focusing on human interest stories. Bringing these local stories to the attention of residents is important because they demonstrate just how OxyContin affects real people. The subgroup is also working hard to get the word out that OxyContin doesn’t discriminate and that this type of drug has no “typical” user. Anybody is at risk of abuse.
From the outset, the Physicians and Pharmacists subgroup has had a very specific focus: organizing a Physician and Pharmacist workshop slated for September 2010. The workshop will promote the new College of Physicians of Ontario guidelines regarding the prescribing of opioids, aim to inform physicians and pharmacists of resources available to them in the five Eastern Counties and focus on ways to recognize and avoid fraudulent patients.
The Treatment and Support subgroup has been working together to identify community supports and services available to those suffering from opioid abuse. Based on their findings, the group has also identified gaps and needs. In our area, it is obvious that more treatment services are urgently needed. Although withdrawal services are available, the accessibility of those services has been an obstacle. Withdrawal Management Services is located in Cornwall and serves the five Eastern Counties, but transportation can be a major problem for people living in areas such as Winchester, Rockland or Hawkesbury. And while financial supports exist in Ontario to help cover travel expenses for medical treatment (e.g. cancer patients seeking treatment in Ottawa may have some of their travel covered), limited funding exists for those seeking withdrawal or addiction treatment services. Another gap is the long waiting list for treatment programs. The Treatment and Support subgroup is advocating for changes in these and other areas.
“In the past 18 months, we have had 9 deaths which can be attributed directly or indirectly to prescription opiates ie: oxycodone and hydromorphone.”
Insp. R. Burnie, Cornwall Community Police
Abuse of OxyContin and other prescription opioids is a serious problem. If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction, there is help!
Addiction Services of Eastern Ontario
613-936-9236
Akwesasne’s Addictions - contact the Tekanikonrahwa:kon - Wholistic Health & Wellness program, Kanonhkwatsherhio Health Facility, Kanatakon
613-575-2341 ext. 3100
Canadian Mental Health Association - Champlain East
1 800 493-8271 / http://www.cmha-east.on.ca Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
1 800 463-6273 http://www.camh.net
Change Health Care
613-932-9777
Community Connections Line
1 888 933-4141 (Cornwall, Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry) - 1 866 632-8885 (Prescott-Russell)
Eastern Ontario Health Unit
Mental Health Crisis line
1 866 996-0991
Withdrawal Management Services
613-938-8506
Present task force members include:
Addiction Services of Eastern Ontario
Akwesasne MCA / Department of Health
Akwesasne MCA / Group Home
The Canadian Mental Health Association - Champlain East Branch
Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario
Centre de sante communautaire de 1’Estrie
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Conseil des ecoles publiques de 1’Est de 1’Ontario
Conseil scolaire de district catholique de 1’Est ontarien
Cornwall Community Police Service
Cornwall Community Hospital
Dentists
Eastern Ontario Health Unit
Hawkesbury General Hospital
Medical Arts Pharmacy
Ontario Provincial Police
Seaway Valley Community Health Centre
Shoppers Drug Mart
Upper Canada District School Board
Winchester District Memorial Hospital
Withdrawal Management Services
Sidebar:
“In the last 18 months we have had 9 deaths which can be attributed directly or indirectly
to prescription opiates ie. oxycodone and hydromorphone.”
Insp. R. Burnie
Cornwall Community Police
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