Did you know that opioid-related deaths in Ontario have tripled since 2014 while drug treatment rates have significantly decreased? According to Health Canada there were 38,514 apparent opioid related deaths between January 2016 and March 2023, with 1,904 just in the first 3 months of 2023. This is an average of 21 deaths per day, and a majority of the deaths were accidental overdoses.
Young people are known to experiment with drugs, but unfortunately a few grains of fentanyl, W-18 or carfentanil can be fatal. These toxic synthetic opioids are being detected in cocaine, crack, MDMA (ecstasy), crystal meth, heroin and fake oxycodone, Xanax and Adderall. These powerful synthetic opioids are also being mixed into powders and pills and sold in the illegal drug market. With increasing frequency, experimenting with these drugs are costing our family and friends their lives.
As parents, we need to talk with our teens or adult children about the danger and risks of using illegal drugs off the street and how difficult it is to know their potency or whether they are laced with deadly fentanyl or carfentanil. Anyone can overdose, drugs don’t discriminate.
Drug addiction is not something we can turn a blind eye to. We need to advocate for anyone suffering with an addiction and treat them with compassion and kindness. Often times addicts are living on the street, and they need shelter, food and support, so that they can feel safe and cared for. Drug dependency may manifest as a result of personal injury, excessive opioid prescriptions, job loss, challenges with mental health, abuse, or the inability to afford housing.
About 10 years ago, Finland started a "Housing First" initiative, prioritizing the resolution of homelessness. Individuals with addiction issues are provided housing first, followed by subsequent treatment for their substance abuse or mental health problems.
If you are interested in learning more, check out this YouTube video:
Finland solved homelessness
In BC, the Salvation Army Harbour Lights is currently building a new facility in Vancouver's downtown eastside that will expand their community meal program to serve up to 180,000 people annually, including a dedicated recovery space for women, more addiction treatment spaces, space for Indigenous Peoples that respect their traditions and offer better access for people with mobility challenges.
Salvation Army's Nine Stories of Hope-Vancouver, BC
In Ontario on the Bruce Peninsula, the hospital Emergency Departments (ER) sees on average 15 substance abuse visits per day. To help reduce the pressure on ER's, the Owen Sound Hospital Foundation (now Brightshores Foundation) is building a new wellness and recovery centre which will house about 45 inpatients plus outpatients. This will help the most vulnerable people get off the street and provide a safe space while they get medical treatment and therapy.
Owen Sound's Wellness and Recovery Centre
This year, as a part of our commitment to support individuals needing treatment and services to overcome their addiction, we donated $2,060 to the Owen Sound Hospital Foundation to support the creation of their new Wellness & Recovery Centre.
We promise to continue offering exceptional customer service and the best selection of knitting needles, crochet hooks, handcrafted tote bags and storage solutions to keep you organized in style.
Thank You and here's to 2024 !!!
There is hope, One Day at a Time!