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The Toronto Drug Strategy |
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Prescription for Addiction: Addressing Stigma, Myths and Methadone - February 17, 2009
Over 120 health and social service providers filled the room at Metro Hall for this event about addiction to prescription opioids and methadone treatment.
Dennis Long, Executive Director of Breakaway, and member of the Toronto Drug Strategy Implementation Panel moderated the session. Pearl Isaac, a pharmacist with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, began the workshop with a general overview of methadone maintenance treatment. The presentation was followed by a screening of Prescription for Addiction, a compelling documentary, produced by SkyWorks Charitable Foundation, about addiction to prescription opioid drugs, and the role of methadone treatment.
Following the film, a panel of community members shared their experiences with methadone treatment and the role it has played in stabilizing their lives. The panel also highlighted some key challenges in being on methadone, including experiences of stigma and discrimination by some service providers.
The workshop provided an opportunity for health and social service providers to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the role of methadone treatment in the continuum of treatment options that need to be available to support people with opioid addictions. Participants rated the session very highly in the evaluations. The interest in this workshop was beyond what could be accommodated, and so future sessions are being considered. Please check back at the Toronto Drug Strategy web site for further updates.
This event was co-sponsored by the Toronto Drug Strategy Implementation Panel, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and the Toronto Harm Reduction Task Force.
Bar Policy Workshop
The Toronto Drug Strategy Secretariat is co-hosting a Risk Management Workshop for Licenced Establishments on February 3rd and 4th, 2009. |
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The workshop is being sponsored in partnership with:
Click here (PDF) to download registration form.
The session is led by Larry Grand, formerly of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Topics include liability issues and laws that impact licenced establishments. Participants will learn how to develop and apply their own bar policies to help create a safe environment for staff, customers and the community.
Past sessions were rated very highly by workshop participants. Feedback includes the following:
“I do not think I realized how serious these issues can be. This [workshop] will allow me to provide a much safer environment for my staff and patrons.”
“The speaker was excellent. I will definitely use a lot of this material.”
“I found this workshop very helpful and useful.”
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Screening/Discussion of Bevel Up: Drugs, Users & Outreach Nursing
In June 2008, the Toronto Drug Strategy Secretariat co-hosted a screening and discussion of this new educational resource, in partnership with the BC Centre for Disease Control, The Works, Toronto Public Health, the Toronto Harm Reduction Task Force, and Street Health. Over 50 people attended the session representing a broad range of prevention, harm reduction, treatment and enforcement services. |
Produced by the acclaimed Outreach Street Nurse Program of the BC Centre for Disease Control, Bevel Up offers informed and concrete strategies to student nurses, seasoned healthcare professionals, outreach workers and policy makers – anyone working with drug-using populations in big cities or small towns.
A groundbreaking, interactive DVD, Bevel Up offers dynamic and different ways to learn. Bevel Up also comes with a Teacher’s Guide outlining learning activities, discussion points, and additional resources to augment each chapter.
For more information on this project, or to order a copy of the DVD go to www.nfb.ca
Community Forum on the National Anti-Drug Strategy
On March 26, 2008, the Toronto Drug Strategy Implementation Panel co-hosted a Community Forum on the National Anti-Drug Strategy along with the Toronto Harm Reduction Task Force and the Harm Reduction Action Group. Mayor David Miller gave opening remarks at the event. Councillor Gord Perks moderated the forum that included presentations from Eugene Oscapella (Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy), Joanne Dallaire (John Howard Society of Toronto), and Tara Lyons (Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy).
An estimated 250 people attended the forum to discuss their perspectives about the new federal strategy, through an open mic session. Many attendees signed a resolution for presentation to the Parliament of Canada urging the government to “develop a comprehensive strategy for all drugs, including alcohol and the non-medical use of prescription drugs, and that this comprehensive approach include evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment and enforcement strategies.” People from across Canada also signed an online version of the resolution.
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