The April 14 event for the 9th Anniversary of the Declaration of the Toxic Drug Crisis was positive and encouraging with about 60 people in attendance. We had Dr Ray Baker, Dr Tribesty Nguyen our resident MHO, the film Toxic and Robert Colbourne the director/producer to introduce it, a panel, and group discussions. Here is the link to the video of Dr Baker’s presentation, plus an audio file which is clearer and easier to understand. See below for the summary of the discussions.
Summary of table discussions April 14, 2025
Bridging the Gaps 2.
Bayside Hotel, Parksville, BC
Services and supports we need. The Gaps.
Community support—Human Connections
1. Health services outreach support
2. Public transit
3. Public toilets after hours
4. Legal support, resources
5. Shelter /Housing24/7/365. 2nd stage housing. Low barrier shelter, soup kitchen 7 days a week,
6. Crisis Intervention at street level
7. SIS (Safe Injection Sites)/SCS (Supervised Consumption Sites)/OPS (Overdose Prevention Sites)
8. Detox with smoking
9. OAT (Opioid Agonist Therapy) at Urgent Care
10. Sobering beds
11. Better support and follow up for people after treatment and recovery.
12. Detox treatment: easy and swift access, clear waitlist, Hospital discharge planning with supports in place.
Education at every level. Ways to Bridge the Gaps.
1. More life skills and work skills programs
2. More knowledge of programs e.g. SmartRecovery, Zoom programs,
3. More media coverage to educate. Increase Public Awareness, sharing info on commonality not differences. More education for medical professionals. CPC (Cooperation with the Professional Community)/AA members speak to medical students and professionals.
4. More media coverage to advocate for more support. Parental advocacy for children/youth.
5. No one should be alone. We need to share knowledge, where to get help, where to be safe, how to educate the police to listen to “us” and the “vulnerable”
6. Community project e.g. banners made by multi-age teams to create beauty/hope for all to see
Strategies. More ways to Bridge the Gaps.
Central hub – United not fragmented
1. One Umbrella Organization to bring supports and resources together. Strength in numbers, shared resources.
2. More ease in accessing supports and resources. Processes must be simplified and broadcast.
3. A website and/or a centre that brings it all together. Engage more people, especially influential people.
4. Make noise to councils, make noise before elections,
5. Closer collaboration between MHSU (Mental Health and Substance Use) and other organizations.
6. For shelters, change zoning bylaws to allow churches to operate as shelters.
7. Work collaboratively to get funding for Recovery Progams, Shelters, not compete for limited resources.
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