$1.8 Million More Going to Safe Supply and Another Addiction Treatments in Guelph

As local addiction agencies mark Drug Poisoning Awareness Day in the next week, a special delivery came from from the federal government on Tuesday. Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield announced additional funds through Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP); $1.8 million that will go to three programs that will ensure support and treatment for people in the Guelph area who are addicted to substances. Continue reading “$1.8 Million More Going to Safe Supply and Another Addiction Treatments in Guelph”

RECAP: This Month, Board of Health Looks at Sex, Drugs and Rabies

April’s meeting of the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Board of Health was an occasion because it was the first meeting that took place largely in-person since before the start of the pandemic. Appropriately, vaccination was a big point of discussion in the meeting and so were programs to fight sexually transmitted infections, the opioid crisis and why spring means more awareness of rabies and the avian flu. Let’s recap! Continue reading “RECAP: This Month, Board of Health Looks at Sex, Drugs and Rabies”

MEETING PREVIEW: Board of Health Meeting for April 5, 2023

April’s Board of Health meeting for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph brings you sex and drugs, but no rock and roll. Or, to be more precise, it’s bringing you an update on fighting the opioid epidemic as well as an update on fighting sexually transmitted infections, which are both very serious issues despite the above joke. Also on the agenda is information about COVID-19 and flu vaccine distribution for this past cold and flu season! Continue reading “MEETING PREVIEW: Board of Health Meeting for April 5, 2023”

Public Health Sends Warning After Six Drug Poisoning in an Hour

In case you haven’t heard, there’s an opioid crisis. It’s not unusual to get an alert from Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health and the Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy about drug poisonings in the area, we’ve gotten more than a few this year already, but multiple poisonings in an hour? That is something that’s definitely worthy of a health alert! Continue reading “Public Health Sends Warning After Six Drug Poisoning in an Hour”

GUELPH POLITICAST #319 – A Movie’s Case for Kindness

In good company after last week’s episode with Marlene director Wendy Hill-Tout, and just in time for both Canadian Film Day on April 20 and this year’s edition of the Hot Docs documentary film festival starting on April 28, this week, we’re talking to a documentary filmmaker. You know about the COVID-19 pandemic, but another pandemic has been affected people a lot longer. This is one of those stories. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #319 – A Movie’s Case for Kindness”

Less Stigma, More Support the Message on Overdose Awareness Day

On Tuesday, many communities around the world marked International Overdose Awareness Day, a chance to campaign to end drug overdoses, and remember without stigma the people who have died as well as the family they all left behind. In Guelph, a few hundred people gathered in St. George’s Square at lunch hour to remember another pandemic that has only gotten worse since COVID-19 hit our shores last year. Continue reading “Less Stigma, More Support the Message on Overdose Awareness Day”

Community Health Gets $1.1 Million to Expand Safe Supply Program

While everyone’s been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been another public health crisis unfolding at the same time without nearly the same degree of attention. From social isolation to tainted supply and the difficulty in accessing services, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the opioid pandemic, but there may be some relief at hand for Guelph and Wellington substance users. Continue reading “Community Health Gets $1.1 Million to Expand Safe Supply Program”

High Number of Overdoses Has Police and Health Workers Issue Warning

A high number of overdoses in the last 24 hours has both the Guelph Police Service and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health raising warnings about dangerous drugs in the area ahead of the long weekend. Continue reading “High Number of Overdoses Has Police and Health Workers Issue Warning”

Guelph’s Safe Consumption Site Survives (Six Do Not)

The safe consumption site that operates out of the Guelph Community Health Centre on Wyndham Street downtown is one of 15 sites approved by the Government of Ontario as part of its new comprehensive and connected mental health and addictions treatment system. However, six other sites in Ontario that were operating up until today will have to close. Continue reading “Guelph’s Safe Consumption Site Survives (Six Do Not)”

GUELPH POLITICAST #112 – Dr. Francesco Leri, Addiction Specialist

The University of Guelph posted on its website: “Looking for an Expert on the Impact of Opioids on Learning and Memory? U of G Is The Place,” and I thought, “Well, I’m not *looking* for such an expert, but if the University is offering…” A couple of emails later, and you’re on your way to learning about the latest research into how the brain gets hooked on drugs, and not just drugs, but any sort of addictive behaviour. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #112 – Dr. Francesco Leri, Addiction Specialist”