Oshawa mayor Dan Carter has called for government action to address the opioid crisis.
Carter said it is urgent that governments work together to take action and address the opioid crisis in Ontario’s big cities, while introducing a resolution at the recent meeting of the Large Urban Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario (Lumco).
Ontario’s big city mayors were unanimous in their support of the resolution that requests provincial and federal governments to develop comprehensive, adequately-funded strategies to address the opioid overdose crisis (epidemic) that is plaguing Ontario’s cities.
The resolution is to be sent to the Prime Minister of Canada, Canada’s Minister of Health, the Premier of Ontario, Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, said an Oshawa city media release.
Oshawa struggling
Mayor Carter spoke on how Oshawa, like so many municipalities, is struggling with the opioid overdose crisis. He stressed that thousands of lives are lost each year to opioid overdose deaths, with the number of overdose deaths on the rise. He talked about the need for the provincial and federal governments to recognize and acknowledge the opioid overdose crisis and work with communities to help develop and fund strategies to address the epidemic.
“Unanimous support calling on the provincial and federal governments to work with Ontario’s large cities to address the opioid overdose crisis is a much needed starting point,” said Mayor Carter. “I look forward to continuing to pursue work with the Lumco mayors to share information to better understand trends and to work with all levels of government to address this epidemic.”
Welcoming Streets comes to downtown Oshawa
The City of Oshawa, Downtown Oshawa B.I.A. and Carea Community Health Centre have introduced a Welcoming Streets pilot project in downtown Oshawa.
Based on a successful model used in Guelph, the pilot project brings targeted outreach services to vulnerable community members in the downtown core as well as education and training to area businesses.
Through the Welcoming Streets Initiative, the partners are helping to bridge the gap between business owners and community members who are vulnerable in our downtown. The aim of the project is to foster a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for all by supporting downtown business owners and assisting community members in need of assistance.
Through this initiative, a community-based outreach worker serves as a point of first contact for individuals who are unsheltered and vulnerable and helps provide connections to outreach services. The outreach worker also provides support, education and training to businesses in the area. The new outreach worker was formally introduced to downtown businesses at the B.I.A.’s annual general meeting in November.
This pilot project runs until March 2020, with the City contributing financial support from its approved allocation to the Oshawa Unsheltered Residents (O.U.R.) Program Initiative. The funding is helping to cover costs associated with the pilot project.
“I believe that by working together we can make a difference. Welcoming Streets is doing just that – providing support to downtown business owners while at the same time offering outreach and social supports to vulnerable individuals in our community,” said Mayor Carter. “I look forward to seeing the many positive outcomes of Oshawa Welcoming Streets.”
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