Addressing Substance Misuse in Ottawa - City of Ottawa
Addressing Substance Misuse in Ottawa - City of Ottawa
Addressing Substance Misuse in Ottawa - City of Ottawa
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Given the emerg<strong>in</strong>g evidence regard<strong>in</strong>g the significant burden <strong>of</strong> alcohol misuse <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Ottawa</strong>, OPH will strengthen efforts to reduce problem dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g and its associated<br />
harms. Utiliz<strong>in</strong>g the pr<strong>in</strong>ciples from the four-pillar approach, OPH will be focus<strong>in</strong>g on<br />
three objectives:<br />
Build<strong>in</strong>g resilience <strong>in</strong> children and youth through the HBHC and Healthy<br />
Transitions programs<br />
Promot<strong>in</strong>g a culture <strong>of</strong> moderation by rais<strong>in</strong>g awareness <strong>of</strong> the Low Risk Alcohol<br />
Dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g Guidel<strong>in</strong>es and expand<strong>in</strong>g partnerships with local colleges and universities,<br />
such as Carleton University, University <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ottawa</strong>, La Cité Collégiale and Algonqu<strong>in</strong><br />
College<br />
Increas<strong>in</strong>g access to treatment and referral services by promot<strong>in</strong>g self-screen<strong>in</strong>g<br />
tools, reach<strong>in</strong>g out to primary care practitioners to <strong>in</strong>crease their capacity to provide<br />
brief screen<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>terventions and by improv<strong>in</strong>g contact with vulnerable populations,<br />
such as isolated seniors, through OPH programm<strong>in</strong>g<br />
As well, OPH will work with community partners to raise awareness <strong>of</strong> the l<strong>in</strong>k between<br />
mental health and substance misuse. Collaborations across education, hous<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
employment sectors, among others, will raise the pr<strong>of</strong>ile <strong>of</strong> the burden <strong>of</strong> substance<br />
misuse and the role that healthy public policy can play <strong>in</strong> reduc<strong>in</strong>g risks and provid<strong>in</strong>g<br />
supportive environments.<br />
CONSULTATION<br />
OPH consulted a range <strong>of</strong> key stakeholders regard<strong>in</strong>g OPH‟s Harm Reduction<br />
programm<strong>in</strong>g and <strong>in</strong>jury prevention programm<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g needle and syr<strong>in</strong>ge<br />
program/harm reduction partner agencies; community members/peers; community<br />
groups; research experts; and <strong>Ottawa</strong> Police, school boards, treatment agencies, law<br />
enforcement, community health centres, post secondary <strong>in</strong>stitutions, <strong>in</strong>ternal partners<br />
and other community agencies.<br />
Partners expressed their desire to see a cont<strong>in</strong>ued approach to substance misuse <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Ottawa</strong> that <strong>in</strong>cludes coord<strong>in</strong>ation between partner agencies, strengthened <strong>in</strong>tegration<br />
with other sectors, and a comprehensive approach that <strong>in</strong>cludes mental health; as well<br />
as the opportunity to expand <strong>in</strong>volvement <strong>of</strong> peers (people with first-hand, lived<br />
experience) <strong>in</strong> the design, delivery and evaluation <strong>of</strong> programm<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS<br />
There are no legal impediments to the implementation <strong>of</strong> the report recommendations.<br />
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS<br />
There are no f<strong>in</strong>ancial implications associated with this report.<br />
TECHNOLOGY IMPLICATIONS<br />
There are no technology implications related to this report.
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