The escalating numbers of opioid overdoses and deaths in our region were front and centre at a gathering in Barrie of about 80 representatives from a wide spectrum of services.
The first in a series of strategy sessions was held at the Barrie Legion on St. Vincent Street and included representatives from health, police, fire, paramedics and social services.
"It's a very complex issue. Today's meeting was a starting point to bring together the key stake holders who can develop a plan," said Dr. Lisa Simon, Associate Medical Officer of Health with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
"What is new today is we're having the conversation about the entire region."
The meeting comes one day after the provincial government released its Interactive Opioid Tracker, which contains some sobering statistics about Simcoe County.
"What I get out of looking at that data is that we can't ignore this anymore. Our region has a problem and it needs to be addressed and it can only be addressed if we work together," said Dr. Becky Van Iersel, one of the meeting organizers.
The Opioid Tracker data shows that from 2012 to 2015, there were on average, 35 opioid deaths per year in Simcoe Muskoka with 43 deaths in 2015. Opioid emergency visit rates in Simcoe Muskoka are significantly higher than the provincial rates since 2004. Men are significantly more likely to die of an opioid overdose, especially in the 25 to 49 age group. Income also appears to be a factor with higher rates among lower earners.
"One of our greatest concerns is that we know is the opioid related morbidity and mortality is actually on the rise in Simcoe and Muskoka. And our rates are above the average for Ontario," said Simon.
A framework presented at the meeting featured a four pillar drug strategy involving prevention, treatment, harm reduction and enforcement in conjunction with a close eye on the numbers.
"I was motivated that we had people in the room who were talking for the first time which is part of the problem is that everybody is working in silos and doing great work in those silos but needs to figure out who they can act with the other pieces," said Van Iersel.
"This was a first. This is a huge problem and I think what we've done is try and organize ourselves."
County of Simcoe Paramedics say they rely on some of the lessons from past public health issues including Sars, H1N1 and Ebola.
"Ten years ago, I wouldn't have known who to call," said Steve Trafford, Commander of Operations for Simcoe County Paramedics.
"We can use a lot of the same networks and connections and community based strategies developed during previous public health crises."
Trafford say the opioid antidote naloxone is not the answer to the problem.
"One of the bigger things is how can we explore other ways to be more impactful," said Andrew Robert, Director and Chief of County of Simcoe Paramedics. "When we get the call it's because it's later on in the whole game. Something has failed. Can we help in the education of the community. Even in the distribution of naloxone."
Robert says paramedics have seen no real increase in the use of naloxone from 2015 to 2016.
Officials can only speculate on why there is that discrepancy but hopefully more light will be shed on all issues surrounding opioids through these meetings.
The next gathering is set for June.
