The Orillia Opioids Task Group is trying to broach a tough issue — the opioid crisis in the community.
To do that, the group is hosing a forum, Opioids in Our Community, slated for March 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Orillia Youth Centre.
The group includes the Orillia Youth Centre (OYC), Information Orillia, the OPP, the Canadian Mental Health Association, as well as parents who have lost children to drug use, said Kevin Gangloff, executive director of the OYC.
This forum has come out of the need to create a space for people, including parents, to share their concerns, said Gangloff. There will be experts in the field to talk about opioid use and answer questions, he added.
“It's open to whoever wants to walk through the doors, hear, listen and ask questions,” said Gangloff. “It's a really serious issue.”
According to the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU), preliminary opioid poisoning deaths data from 2018 (January to June) show that last year over the first six months there were 31 confirmed and 4 probable opioid-related deaths in Simcoe-Muskoka.
This number was similar to the 33 opioid-related deaths recorded in Simcoe-Muskoka during the same period in 2017.
According to government figures, the opioid crisis killed at least 1,036 Canadians between January and March of last year.
Also on the SMDHU website, the rate of opioid poisoning deaths in Simcoe-Muskoka has been significantly higher than the provincial rates over the past five years (2013 to 2017 combined).
As previously reported, statistics also show the crude rate (per 100,000 people) for opioid overdose ER visits in 2017 was highest locally in Barrie, Penetanguishene, Orillia and Midland, based on 2016 population estimates.
Barrie led the way with 204 opioid overdose visits, followed by Orillia (42), Midland (22), Innisfil (19), Bradford West Gwillimbury (15), and Penetanguishene had 13.
It’s these numbers and the stories Gangloff has heard from families that compel him to urge people to come out and talk about it.
“It's such a daunting thing to walk through a door and talk about this,” he said. “This is a non-judgmental space, so anyone is welcome to come out and ask questions and share concerns.”
As someone with a background working in outreach for addictions and youth homelessness, Gangloff said he has seen opioid use touching everyone across the spectrum.
“We were able to survey some youth and found that substances don't discriminate,” he said. “Whether you're a first-time user or a hundred-time user, people are dropping dead because of what's in the substance.”
Death is tragic at any age, said Gangloff, but when a teen dies, it hits hard.
“You haven't lived yet; you haven't had any experiences,” he said. “I can't imagine being a parent and losing someone like that. There are families that will never be whole again.”
The purpose of the forum is not only to give people a safe place to talk and ask questions, but also to find out about available community resources.
“Where do these parents go when they lose someone? Who do they talk to? Who do they connect with?” said Gangloff. “If there are parents that come through our doors during this forum and ask those questions, they will be better informed.”
He said there is a need to mobilize the community to address what's happening.
"What's encouraging out of a very discouraging situation is that people are willing to come around the table and work on it," Gangloff said. "Do we need more resources? Yes, every community does. But first, we need to give people the opportunity to talk about it."
The forum is at the OYC, located on 9 Front St. S. Gangloff said attendees should park at municipal parking lots and walk down to the centre, as there is no on-site parking available.
- With files from Raymond Bowe
