There are growing calls from the Drug Strategy Network of Ontario and its partners for municipalities to take action regarding the opioid crisis.
Adrienne Crowder, manager of Wellington-Guelph Drug Strategy, says while many think the issue is a federal problem, municipalities are the ones who experience the damaging effects.
Crowder points to one of three fact sheets released last month by the Drug Strategy Network of Ontario that aims to get municipalities more involved.
According to the document, the data suggests advocating for drug and health policy changes by working with municipal counterparts. It also proposes connecting municipalities with local governing bodies to fight the issue within the community.
The other fact sheets focus on challenges users face with an unregulated drug market, and the costs and harms of the status quo of the crisis.
Crowder hopes the next step is starting the conversation at micro and macro levels by encouraging a mindset shift that focuses on addressing the crisis as manageable.
