Drug/Opioid Crisis Leadership Summit (Motion #39-23)

Moved by Sizer – Despatie

Approved by Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts, June 15, 2023

39-23 DRUG/OPIOID CRISIS LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

WHEREAS the Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts sounded the alarm on the local and regional opioid crisis in 2021 (motion 14-21); and 

WHEREAS Northern Ontario is experiencing the highest drug toxicity mortality rates in the province and despite the engagement of a multi-sector Community Drug Strategy, the rate for Sudbury and districts is worsening; and

WHEREAS the Ontario Public Health Standards requires boards of health to “reduce the burden of preventable injuries and substance use through the development and implementation of public health interventions informed by collaboration with health and social service partners”; and

WHEREAS addressing this complex issue requires all sectors to be fully engaged to investigate and commit to intensified and innovative approaches to reverse the mortality trend and save lives; and

WHEREAS the Executive Committee of the Community Drug Strategy for the City of Greater Sudbury (CDS-CGS), strongly endorsed the need for a local leadership summit on the escalating drug toxicity crisis; and

WHEREAS the Executive Committee, in recognition of the all-of-society complexity of the drug toxicity issue, strongly supported that the summit be planned and executed based on principles of inclusion and diversity, including the involvement of persons who use and are affected by substances;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Health endorse the recommendations of the Executive Committee of the CDS-CGS and direct the Medical Officer of Health to ensure Public Health engagement in organizing a local leadership summit on the escalating drug toxicity crisis.

CARRIED

This item was last modified on June 16, 2023