The Community Safety and Well Being Crime Prevention Action Table Grey-Bruce, Community Drug and Alcohol Strategy, and various partners will host a series of community town halls regarding drug trafficking next month.
West Grey Police Chief Robert Martin, who chairs the Crime Prevention Action Table, says the free-to-attend town halls will aim to educate people on the many different organizations that play a role beyond the police when it comes to dealing with drug issues in a community.
"The Canadian Mental Health Association, Brightshores Mental Health and Addictions, our S.O.S. programs through our Grey County Paramedics, Public Health, they're all part and parcel to this, as well, because they provide the supports, the education pieces on substance abuse, and they provide the supports in the community for those people that are actually suffering from drug addiction," Martin stated.
Chief Martin says while police will be there to offer insight into the issue, there will be a number of other experts there to give other key sides to the story.
"Public Health will be presenting with us to give the other half of the picture. It's simply an education piece and it's a piece to bring awareness to people in terms of this is what goes on, this is the signs of drug trafficking, how you can report it, how investigations work, what the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act means, and much more," Martin shared.
Drug trafficking and local drug use continues to be a big issue, not just for police, but for the local healthcare system that is doing its best to support many individuals who are struggling with addiction.
"From 2018 to 2021, the last timeframe where we have reliable stats, we saw a 457 percent increase in our opioid related deaths, which means in 2018 it went from 7 up to 39, and those numbers aren't dropping. There's a challenge to be faced here and it's a very major concern," detailed Martin.
There will be five town halls held throughout April, with dates in Port Elgin, Durham, Walkerton, Owen Sound and Hanover. No registration is required.
Event Details:
Time: 6:00PM-8:00PM
Dates:
April 3, The Plex- Port Elgin
April 10, Durham Community Centre, Durham
April 16, Walkerton Community Centre, Walkerton
April 23, Sydenham Campus, Owen Sound
April 28, P&H Centre, Hanover
To learn more about the events and find one near you please visit: Community Events - Community Safety and Well-Being Planning.