News (Media Awareness Project) - CN ON: Drug Problem Awareness |
| Title: | CN ON: Drug Problem Awareness |
| Published On: | 2009-09-30 |
| Source: | Peterborough Examiner, The (CN ON) |
| Fetched On: | 2009-10-02 09:26:55 |
DRUG PROBLEM AWARENESS
The Peterborough Drug Strategy Task Force is planning free film
screenings and discussions to raise local awareness about the area's
growing drug problem, a news release states.
A town hall meeting with concerned groups and citizens in April
snowballed into plans for three community events over the next few
weeks, the release states.
Opioids are strong painkillers that can be addictive. The drugs are
being taken and sold illegally for non-medical purposes, the release
states. Suzanne Galloway, health promoter in the Peterborough
County-City Health Unit's substance misuse prevention program, said
there were 20 overdose deaths in Peterborough in 2007.
"Studies have shown that an estimated 30,000 Ontarians have an opioid
addiction, and one in five Ontario students has reported using
opioids non-medically," states Galloway. "About 72% reported they got
those prescription opioids at home. "This is a serious problem, not
just provincially, but locally as well."
The upcoming public events are just one part of the steps being taken
by the Peterborough Drug Strategy Task Force, the release states.
City police are making four additional officers available to high
schools to intervene with youth drug users and traffickers, the release states.
"The concerning rising rates of prescription drug abuse are the
result of a combination of factors, and can only be countered
successfully by a coordinated, multi-sector strategy," Chief Murray
Rodd states.
"We are pleased to join our community partners in a
multi-disciplinary drug strategy."
Drug awareness events
When: Tomorrow at 7 p. m. What: Film screening of Prescription for
Addiction, a documentary featuring first-hand stories of opioid addiction.
Speaker: Bill Bailey, a former principal whose teenage son died after
a battle with drugs.
Where: Peterborough Public Library.
When: Oct. 22 at 7 p. m. What: Discussion on Teen Risk Behaviour:
What's Normal, What's Changing and What Parents Can Do.
Speaker: Dr. David Wolfe, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto.
Where: Adam Scott Collegiate. When: Nov. 26 at 7 p. m.
What: Film screening of Cottonland, which explores a community's
struggle with prescription painkillers.
Where: Peterborough Public Library.
The Peterborough Drug Strategy Task Force is planning free film
screenings and discussions to raise local awareness about the area's
growing drug problem, a news release states.
A town hall meeting with concerned groups and citizens in April
snowballed into plans for three community events over the next few
weeks, the release states.
Opioids are strong painkillers that can be addictive. The drugs are
being taken and sold illegally for non-medical purposes, the release
states. Suzanne Galloway, health promoter in the Peterborough
County-City Health Unit's substance misuse prevention program, said
there were 20 overdose deaths in Peterborough in 2007.
"Studies have shown that an estimated 30,000 Ontarians have an opioid
addiction, and one in five Ontario students has reported using
opioids non-medically," states Galloway. "About 72% reported they got
those prescription opioids at home. "This is a serious problem, not
just provincially, but locally as well."
The upcoming public events are just one part of the steps being taken
by the Peterborough Drug Strategy Task Force, the release states.
City police are making four additional officers available to high
schools to intervene with youth drug users and traffickers, the release states.
"The concerning rising rates of prescription drug abuse are the
result of a combination of factors, and can only be countered
successfully by a coordinated, multi-sector strategy," Chief Murray
Rodd states.
"We are pleased to join our community partners in a
multi-disciplinary drug strategy."
Drug awareness events
When: Tomorrow at 7 p. m. What: Film screening of Prescription for
Addiction, a documentary featuring first-hand stories of opioid addiction.
Speaker: Bill Bailey, a former principal whose teenage son died after
a battle with drugs.
Where: Peterborough Public Library.
When: Oct. 22 at 7 p. m. What: Discussion on Teen Risk Behaviour:
What's Normal, What's Changing and What Parents Can Do.
Speaker: Dr. David Wolfe, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto.
Where: Adam Scott Collegiate. When: Nov. 26 at 7 p. m.
What: Film screening of Cottonland, which explores a community's
struggle with prescription painkillers.
Where: Peterborough Public Library.
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