Drug Strategy Partners Introduce Drug Early Warning System
Written by admin, March 19, 2013
March 19, 2013 – New System to Increase Safety and Reduce Harm for People Who Use Illicit Drugs
Peterborough Drug Strategy partners introduced a Drug Early Warning System today designed to increase safety for people who use drugs in the local area.
The new system creates an easy way to rapidly inform agencies and users alike about tainted drugs, new drugs, drugs of particularly high strength that cause overdoses, outbreaks of illnesses possibly related to drug use, or other dangerous effects from drugs currently circulating in the local area.
“Often service providers hear scattered concerns about new drugs or bad experiences with a drug – and they wonder if it’s an isolated reaction or a widespread concern,” said Suzanne Galloway, Health Promoter with Peterborough Public Health’s Substance Misuse Prevention Program. “We’ve created a network amongst the Peterborough Drug Strategy partners to investigate this ‘smoke’ and see if there really is a fire to be concerned about.”
The public can contact Crime Stoppers 24/7 to report their concerns about ‘bad drugs’ by calling 1-800-222-TIPS or enter the details online at http://www.stopcrimehere.ca/. All calls are completely anonymous and confidential.
Detective Constable John Stoeckle is pleased to have Crime Stoppers involved in this health initiative. “You’d be surprised how many calls Crime Stoppers receives about issues related to drug use. It makes sense to pass along any health-related concerns to a group who can research further and then communicate with the broader community when appropriate.”
Agencies are advised to call a point person (scheduled quarterly at four agencies) if they hear about drugs causing significant harm in the community.
Unlike legal drugs, there is no regulation of the purity or potency of illicit drugs. This increases health risks for people who use illicit drugs. People who use drugs often have compromised health due to impure drugs, harms associated with injections such as abscesses or infection; and the burdens of poverty, homelessness, and a lack of suitable health care. Individuals who use illicit drugs often do not access health care when sick due to a fear of judgment. This combination of higher health risks and reluctance to seek treatment can result in illness outbreaks that may escape detection for some time.
For further information, please see the attached backgrounder and poster.
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For further information, please contact:
Suzanne Galloway
Substance Misuse Prevention Program
Peterborough Public Health
Tel: 705-743-1000, ext. 223
Detective Constable John Stoeckle
Crime Stoppers
Tel: 705-876-1122, ext. 8125 or 240
Cell: 705-872-8294