The current opioid poisoning crisis is the worst public health problem of our time.

The Sault and Area Drug Strategy will reduce the harms associated with substance use within the pillars of prevention and education, treatment and recovery, justice and enforcement, and harm reduction.

Jan 21 press release page 1

Recent News and Resources

Canada’s opioid crisis: The people and communities fighting for change and finding solutions

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-opioid-crisis-drug-overdoses-decriminalization-solutions/

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Common Antidepressant Reduces Meth Use and High-Risk Sexual Behavior for Gay and Bisexual Men and Transgender Women, Study Finds

https://www.thebodypro.com/article/common-antidepressant-reduces-meth-use-and-high-risk-sexual-behavior

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Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Our Priorities

  • Increase treatment capacity & reduce gaps in service
  • Continue to advocate for a Level III Withdrawal Management Facilities in SSM & area.
  • Reduce, prevent & delay substance use among youth & adults.
  • Improve the service user experience.
  • Address accessibility concerns by increasing the number of services staff and hours of operation.
  • Reduced wait times & enhance integration between service organiations
  • Reduce crime, the supply of substances & community harms.
  • Increase treatment capacity & access to services for youth.
  • Maximize public awareness of the harms associated with substance use and decrease stigma & discrimination
  • Establish a process for collaborative funding to support the projects of the drug strategy.
  • Increase availability of service for people with complex health needs.

Quick glance at the situation in Sault Ste. Marie and Area

Ranked #8 in the top 15 highest number of opioid poisoning hospitalizations by census subdivision, Canada, 2017 (CIHI,2018).

Ranked #1 as the highest rate of opioid poisoning related emergency department visits compared in Ontario & Alberta with a population of 50,000 -99,999 (CIHI, 2018).

There were 17 deaths due to opioid overdoses in Algoma in 2019 (Public Health Ontario, 2020).

View our full findings in this report:

Read the Facts