@jasonluan88 and @jkenney: Reading the Supervised Consumption Site report. I'm baffled by the "one-pillar stool" suggestion (pg. 34). Let me tell you what happens at least monthly in Grande Prairie for cross-sector/organisation collaboration around our SCS: (1/12)(#ableg)
At least once a month, the operator of our SCS takes part in a Community Opioid Response Task Force meeting. The SCS is always discussed. The group works together to care for those struggling with addictions in our community. The group includes: (2/12)
Multiple non-profits working with vulnerable residents. The SCS operator, Friendship Centre, Youth Emergency Shelter, and CMHA, to name a few. But it isn't just non-profits in the room. (3/12)
Multiple government departments participate. The City's Community Social Development department. Alberta Health Services. EMS. The RCMP. Municipal elected officials.
But it isn't just government joining the non-profits to talk about how to help people in our community. (4/12)
But it isn't just government joining the non-profits to talk about how to help people in our community. (4/12)
The Chamber of Commerce takes part. And private medical clinics.
Private industry, public institutions, and community non-profits are collaborating to deal with addiction and mental health. To get help for vulnerable residents. But also to minimize community impacts. (5/12)
Private industry, public institutions, and community non-profits are collaborating to deal with addiction and mental health. To get help for vulnerable residents. But also to minimize community impacts. (5/12)
And as I said, this group values the work of the SCS. Because it saves lives and it helps minimize what is going on in our community.
But we know that Harm Reduction isn't enough. Here is the four-pillar approach we created for Grande Prairie. everyoneisimpacted.com/wp-content/upl… (6/12)
But we know that Harm Reduction isn't enough. Here is the four-pillar approach we created for Grande Prairie. everyoneisimpacted.com/wp-content/upl… (6/12)
The Task Force works on prevention. For example, this week, Task Force members worked a booth at the regional Teacher's Convention to figure out how to better educate and work for young people. (7/12)
Treatment and Recovery are a huge part of what we do. We talk about how to get people from the SCS into healing programs. But we also work on making these programs more accessible to everyone in the community. (8/12)
And Enforcement is a regular part of the conversation too. That's why the RCMP are at the table and why the Crown Prosecutor has an open invitation and is circulated on our materials. (9/12)
I'd encourage you to checkout the work of our Task Force at everyoneisimpacted.com (10/12)
We have a Supervised Consumption Site in Grande Prairie. It's an important part of our opioid response. But it is just a small piece of what we are doing. And it is integrated into our overall response.
Don't let this bogus report paint our SCS as a "one-pillar approach." 11/12
Don't let this bogus report paint our SCS as a "one-pillar approach." 11/12
That's wrong. It's a dangerous view if it informs decisions making.
And, frankly, it is downright insulting to those of us who are working on addressing addictions and mental health in our community. (12/12)
And, frankly, it is downright insulting to those of us who are working on addressing addictions and mental health in our community. (12/12)
