Have any questions about substance use and abuse?
Bring them to La Place Rendez-Vous next Wednesday (May 8) from 6:30-8 p.m. during the “Community Conversation about Substance Abuse.”
It will feature a panel of experts from the OPP, Treaty #3 Police, Northwestern Health Unit, and Fort Frances Tribal Area Health Services.
The event is being hosted by the “Substance Abuse Prevention Team (SAPT) that recently amalgamated with the Safe Communities Group and is being sponsored by the Rainy River District School Board.
A light supper will be provided to those who attend. Those who would like to attend are asked to pre-register by calling 274-9879.
“With this event we’re looking to start the conversation within the community,” noted SAPT member and library CEO Caroline Goulding.
“I think a lot of people are discussing the issue but we want to discuss it in a broader setting, with experts present.”
“The event is for the public’s safety, for the public to become aware and become knowledgeable so that they can act safely, and frankly bring up their kids safely,” noted fellow SAPT member and retired police chief Hugh Dennis.
“It’s an opportunity to see a group of experts together who are prepared to share their knowledge in a very open way.”
The focus is on shifting the conversation away from the negative aspects associated with substance abuse and focusing on something positive the community can do to combat the problem.
“We all work together to help folks and that’s what it’s about, helping folks, not getting them,” Dennis remarked.
He stressed that the event is ran by a non-judgemental group of individuals who are focused on helping those who are struggling without assigning blame.
The event itself is meant to educate parents on issues they may not fully understand or be aware of.
Substance abuse has increasingly become an issue in the district, since the introduction of oxycontin in 1999.
“At the time we had never heard of it before and suddenly oxycontin became an issue and then it morphed into a huge opiate problem throughout the country and the world,” Dennis recalled.
“Today we’ve got a huge issues with methamphetamine–an illegal, dangerous, very addictive drug,” he added.
There is currently a lot of drug use going on in the district and an alarming number of overdose deaths for such a small community, Dennis noted.
Since 2015, he said there has been roughly 15 overdose deaths in the district.
“Education at all levels is extremely important to try to curve some of these problems and certainly these tragedies that are happening,” Dennis stressed.
He is very dedicated to fighting substance abuse and addiction because it’s something that he’s struggled with first-hand.
In 1993, Dennis said he became an alcoholic and was fortunately able to receive treatment and return to his position at the OPP where he worked for 34 years.
“My history is one of getting healthy after having an addiction, that’s why I’m so passionate about these issues that are happening today and have been happening for the last 25 years of my life,” he explained.
At the event there will be a focus on discussing cannabis, methamphetamine, and opiates, but questions of any kind are welcome.
“I’m looking forward to the communication between experts and the people of the district,” Hugh remarked.
“To get a dialogue going, because there’s a gap–there truly is.”
Each member of the panel will give a very short presentation before being opened up to a question and answer period with the audience.
“We’re going to have a discussion about the protective factors, what exists in the community,” noted Goulding.
“We’re going to open it up and have people have discussions at their tables . . . and then also within the larger group to say what we can do.”
Discussions about how to talk openly with youth, how to check in, and become a part of their support network will also be had during the event.
As well, the community conversation is meant to dispel some of the misinformation or misconceptions around addiction.
“Nobody chooses to become an addict but it happens,” Dennis stressed.
“The problem is how do you do correct it once you are [addicted] and that’s what we’re looking at helping–in other words the different strategies for getting healthy.”
Goulding echoed Dennis’ statements.
“There’s always misinformation around substance abuse in terms of a lack of understanding around what causes people to start to suffering from it,” she remarked.
“Sometimes the path to addiction gets laid starting at zero, when your looking at the influences of adverse childhood events.”
Many people in the community complain about dirty needles being discarded in pubic areas but that is just a symptom of a wider problem, Goulding noted.
“It’s not a dirty needle problem, it’s an addictions problem,” she remarked.
Goulding encourages everyone in the community to attend the event and become more educated on substance abuse.
“Please come,” she said. “It’s an important conversation for us to have and it’s important for as many people to participate as possible.”
“The purpose is really we want to have a conversation with the community about the topic but that doesn’t mean you need to be an expert on the subject to participate,” Goulding added.
