Looking for input

A local committee wants the public’s help to complete its drug strategy, now in a draft stage, for the city.

"What are we missing?" The Thunder Bay Drug Strategy Committee asked a room of about 20 people at the NorWest Community Health Centre Thursday afternoon. The committee presented its plan, which includes recommendations from affordable housing to harm reduction strategies in an effort to help the city’s drug problem.

Darryl Ottertail came to Thunder Bay from Lac LaCroix First Nation more than 30 years ago. He said solutions need to start within First Nations communities before residents come to the city with a problem.

"We have to catch it at the reserve level," Ottertail said.

Ottertail also said some of his family members had to leave their communities for addiction treatment.

When they returned, they learned about new drugs that affected the community even more. He said the strategy needs to include research so that police and other community services learn about new drugs hitting the street.

"We have to get ahead of the game," he said.

Ottertail said this was the first time he’d attended a meeting on drug strategies for the city and was encouraged by what he heard.

"I believe in action," he said. "I want to get things done right away."

Jennifer Turcotte, who also attended the presentation, said because of inconsistencies in dealing with patients with substance problems at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, hospital staff eventually "burn out" or change their attitude toward people with addictions. She said there needs to be more support in the plan for doctors and nurses dealing with addiction at the ground level.

"This takes a toll on our nursing staff," Turcotte said.

While affordable housing for everyone is a key pillar in the plan, Helen Tucker said addicts with mental illnesses risk eviction if they don’t get treatment and stabalization plans before going into affordable housing.

"The housing doesn’t work if you don’t have the treatment services," Tucker said.
A second public consultation session is planned for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Prosvita on High Street.

Those looking to comment on the plan can also submit suggestions on the committee’s web site http://www.thunderbaydrugstrategy.ca until March 15.