Unveiling a new strategy to stop substance abuse in our communities. November 20, 2008 Ingersoll, Ontario

Transcription

1 Unveiling a new strategy to stop substance abuse in our communities November 20, 2008 Ingersoll, Ontario

2 Acknowledgements Oxford County Drug Task Force Oxford County stakeholders / members School Principals Youth

3 A Landmark Strategy Mobilized Stakeholders Evidence Based Practice Proactive Action Compassionate Community

4 Strategic Planning Process Identify best practices for addressing substance abuse Recognize multi-dimensional impacts of substance abuse on the community Understand how the community experiences substance abuse

5 Methods Literature review National, Provincial, Regional Community reports (qualitative and quantitative) Community consultation: Key informant interviews Focus groups Surveys (youth)

6 Literature Review Best Practices Comprehensive strategy A Four Pillar Model: Prevention Treatment Harm Reduction Enforcement

7 Common Principles for Action Rooted in the determinants of health Encourage and empower target audiences to be involved Build personal skills and supportive communities

8 Common Principles for Action Address multiple needs of the individual in his/her community environment Balance public order and public health Flexible and responsive Respect diversity

9 Literature Review Community Impacts Health Economic Criminal Familial and Community

10 Health Impacts Immediate and short term health impacts Long term impacts Impacts on children Determinants of health

11 Economic Impacts Impact for an Ontario community the size of Oxford County: $122 million Provincial: $12 billion National: $40 billion J. Rehm, D. Baliunas, S. Brochu, B. Fischer, W. Gnam, J. Patra, S. Popova, A. Sarnocinska-Hart, B. Taylor The Costs of Substance Abuse in Canada 2002, Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse March 2006

12 Crime Impacts Access drugs Theft with / without violence Break and entering Prostitution Under the influence of substances Property damage Public disorder Assault / Violence

13 Crime Impacts - Local 70% of breaking and entering related to substance abuse Oxford County residents report being concerned about drug crimes and drug use

14 Familial and Community Impacts One third 18+ (32.6% women, 32.9% men) at least one harm from someone else s drinking CAS % women / 7.7% men someone s drinking responsible for family and marriage problems CAS 2008 Strong link between parents who use substances and neglect children

15 Oxford County Experience Local / regional data (collected provincially / nationally) Community reports Community consultation / research

16 Oxford County Experience More Oxford County residents over the age of 12 smoke (31.3%) compared to Ontario residents CCHS 2007 More Oxford County residents report being heavy drinkers (26.5%) than in Ontario (21.2%) CCHS, 2007

17 Oxford County Experience Between 2003 and 2005, more people living in South West Ontario were likely to exceed low-risk drinking guidelines people living in the rest of Ontario. CAMH Monitor 2005 More people living in South West LHIN reported drinking and driving (11.1%) than in the rest of Ontario (7.6%) CAMH Monitor

18 Oxford County Experience Significantly higher proportion of students in the South West LHIN (43%) reported being a passenger in a vehicle with a driver who had been drinking alcohol than in Ontario (30%) OSDUS 2007 Significantly higher proportion of students in the South West LHIN (46%) reported binge drinking during the past year than in Ontario (35%) OSDUS 2007

19 Oxford County Experience A significant linear increase use of cannabis in the South West region, from 7.6% in 1996 to 11.6% in 2005 (CAMH) Oxford County Youth Strategy identified being stressed out, doing drugs and dealing with pressure from friends as top three priorities facing youth

20 Oxford County Experience About 1000 Oxford County residents are directly involved in illegal or problematic substance abuse and are known to police Oxford County residents most frequently access addictions services for alcohol, cannabis, crack, prescription opiods, and cocaine

21 Oxford County Experience Changes to prescribing practices has led to increased supply of legally prescribed drugs diverted for illegal purposes Most individuals who suffer from mental health illnesses are also addicted to substances

22 Oxford County Experience Determinants of health High rates of early school leavers Low income Lack of stable and suitable housing

23 Oxford County Experience Determinants of health Weak sense of community belonging Lack of accessible transportation Few supports to access services

24 Oxford County Experience Services Prevention initiatives are isolated; not part of an integrated effort Gap in residential and withdrawal treatment

25 Oxford County Experience Services Little focus on harm reduction despite important services Need more meaningful diversion and enforcement options

26 Oxford County Experience Services Some services are regionalized across a large geographic area Service providers lack natural networking opportunities

27 Youth Survey Results

28 Youth Survey Results

29 Youth Survey Results

30 Youth Survey Results

31 Youth Survey Results 32.7% have tried drugs Average age of initiation was 13.4 years 63.4% of the youth respondents who had tried drugs indicated they no longer used drugs

32 Youth Survey Results More than half (54.1%) saw people using drugs while they were growing up Almost all (97.1%) do not feel they need to do drugs to fit in or feel pressured by peers to do drugs (87.8%) 61.1% of the youth respondents know where to go for help with substance use

33 Summary Comprehensive approach using Four Pillars Model Devastating community impacts Oxford County experiences substance abuse

34 Summary Community environment: more problematic and more challenging to address Youth and people who suffer from mental health illnesses are priority populations *Mobilized community*

35 A Way Forward Strategic Plan Community Presentations Engage the Community through Work Groups Address the Goals

36 The Oxford County Drug Task Force envisions a community free of problems associated with the harmful effects of substance use. Vision

37 The Oxford County Drug Task Force works collaboratively to improve the overall health of Oxford County residents and to protect communities from harm related to substance use. Our efforts are focused on strengthening and coordinating prevention, education, public awareness, early intervention, treatment, harm reduction and enforcement services within Oxford County. Mission

38 Values We work collaboratively with a variety of partners throughout the community. We embrace people with substance abuse problems within the context of their environment. Our efforts span the substance use continuum from prevention through to treatment. Our efforts aim to strengthen the existing infrastructure in Oxford County. Our efforts work towards accessible and timely services for Oxford residents

39 A Way Forward Goals 1. Implement a comprehensive strategy 2. Identify substance abuse prevention as key to a sustainable community 3. Get sustainable resources 4. Advocate for coordinated services, increased communication and harmonized action 5. Address service gaps and maximize services 6. Provide information and support 7. Build awareness 8. Provide a continuum of enforcement options

40 Thank you