MEDIA RELEASE:
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
Health Unit recognizes community partners on Overdose Awareness Day
International Overdose Awareness Day is an international initiative observed by many agencies each August 31st. This year’s theme is Together We Can.
Over the last few years, the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit has seen a rise in overdoses and is working together with partners in LGL communities to change the direction of these numbers.
As of July 31, 2024, the number of confirmed and probable deaths from overdoses/drug poisonings is four and suspected deaths is fifteen, according to the Drug-Related Overdose & Death Summary - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit on the Health Unit’s website. Over the last 5 years, these numbers have fluctuated and in 2023 they rose to 18 confirmed and probable deaths and 33 suspected deaths.
“These numbers are alarming,” says Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Linna Li. “Our hearts go out to the families and we are committed to continuing to work together with our partners in the Health Unit’s role in prevention, harm reduction and education to reduce these overdoses and deaths in our communities.”
Public health works with a variety of local partners in a whole-of-society approach to prevent overdoses, including: community health centres; addiction and treatment centres; shelters/Cooperative Care and John Howard Society; outreach programs; emergency departments; police; fire services; paramedics; mental health agencies; food banks; libraries; youth groups; and pharmacies. Working with partners to provide local services is critical to building community and individual capacity.
“Harm reduction is essential in health care as it helps to decrease the number of deaths from overdose,” says David Amot, Mental Health and Substance Use Public Health Nurse Co-ordinator with the Health Unit. “Increased access to safer use supplies helps to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis C.”
Harm reduction seeks to minimize the risks associated with an activity without requiring people to stop using. It focuses on addressing the immediate risks by putting the person first and taking a nonjudgmental stance, recognizing both the benefits, harms, and other consequences of using these substances. Evidence indicates that harm reduction prevents overdoses and deaths, increases participation in addiction treatment, and is an important part of the spectrum of interventions that are effective in reducing substance use and harms, including overdoses.
The Health Unit staff work with local partners to provide Naloxone kits and training; consultation on policy and programs; help with obtaining harm reduction supplies and providing education for Smartworks sites; and assisting with obtaining Needle Drop Boxes in several locations throughout the area. The Health Unit also works with partners in preventing substance use, including community education and youth substance use prevention.
Initiating and supporting outreach with local community groups is another way the Health Unit works with partners by seeing clients one on one and providing education, referrals and help with other services that the Health Unit provides, including immunization, dental and tobacco cessation.
The Health Unit also supports the local International Overdose Awareness Day events in the community:
Kemptville - Thursday August 29th
Brockville - Friday August 30th
o Join us for International... - Brockville’s Overdose Outreach Team | Facebook
o Dr. Linna Li, Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit will attend and speak at the official ceremony.
For more information about harm reduction programs at the Health Unit, visit: Drug Use & Harm Reduction - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. You can also call 1-800-660-5853 or connect with @LGLHealthunit on social media.
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