HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2018-01-04, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018.
County makes plans
to tackle drug issue
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
With drugs in Huron County
playing a major role in a recent TVO
story, the county's social and
property services department is
working to respond.
Public health nurse Michelle
Carter, Housing and Property
Services Manager Barbara Hall and
Ontario Works and Children's
Services Manager Michele Gaynor
all spoke to Huron County Council
at its Dec. 20 committee of the
whole meeting regarding the recent
article, written by renowned
journalist Mary Baxter.
The article, which was published
late last year, outlined higher -than -
average drug use in Huron County,
coupled with a lack of resources for
those fighting addiction.
Carter was brought in to make the
presentation, she said, because she
had recently spoke to the Huron
County Board of Health on the same
topic. She said that while drugs and
especially opioid addiction have
been on the radar for years, the topic
wasn't discussed as openly even just
five years ago.
Because of that, she said, there
isn't a lot of research. That, she said,
is what led Baxter to investigate the
issue in the first place. She was
looking for research, found there
was none, so she endeavoured to do
the research herself.
"It's a very thorough report, but it
doesn't feel good to hear it," she
said, adding that, in a way, she felt as
though Baxter was "exposing our
secrets" to the world.
After the article was published,
Carter said that they began working
on an action plan. She said that in
order to address the issue, a local
solution is required.
"This well -researched article
reveals some troubling information
that has drawn public attention and
has demanded policy -makers and
community to take pause," the report
stated. "The revelation that Huron
County is struggling with more than
one kind of addiction is not new
information for frontline social
service and health service workers in
the county. Furthermore, the current
drug problem is not exclusive to
Huron, but rather plays out in every
community across Ontario."
The report states that staff across
numerous county departments,
including social and property
services and the Huron County
Health Unit have been fostering a
"supportive and collaborative
relationship focused on providing
respectful and caring services to all
members of our community. As
such, open and transparent
conversations occur which reflect
the identified needs of our client
base."
Carter said that community
conversations around addiction and
mental health have been ongoing in
the county since 2012 when a
meeting to strategize took place
between social and property
services, the Huron County Health
Unit and representatives of the
Choices for Change program.
While representatives felt they had
been doing their best, there had
certainly been limitations to what
they're able to accomplish in a rural
community.
"As illustrated in the TVO report,
there are several challenges to
addressing the various trends seen in
addictions in Huron County," the
report states. "The rural nature of the
county alone is a barrier. Social and
Property Services will continue in a
collaborative role to support the
community conversation led by the
Health Unit as the Harm Reduction
Program expands and the local
opioid strategy is developed and
implemented."
Carter said it "isn't an easy task"
but that the departments are working
together to do all that they can
and will continue to do so into the
future.
Rediscover what
Huron County has
to offer.
Pick up your free
guide to
Stops Along The
Way and see
what's happening
in your area!
Along The Way
A Visitors Guide to Huron County
Available at many local
Huron County
What to See
Where to Dine
Things to Do
Museums
Snowmobile Trails Map
tourist spots throughout
or pick it up at
The Citizen
413 Queen St., Blyth - 519-523-4792
When it's actually warmer on the ice
In the depths of a cold spell, the Blyth 140th committee marked its final event on Dec. 31. The
celebration, which marked the end of the village's 140th anniversary year, included lots of fun
for the community including free skating where the ice surface temperature was actually a few
degrees warmer than it was outside. From left: Mary Kate Allen, Teresa Atkinson and Chantal
Van Schaik. (Quinn Talbot photo)
Ceeekate 2018 with came neat il3aa tA!
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