Kenora Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Task Force
“Making our community better by
preventing substance abuse”.
Goals:
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1. Implement a comprehensive strategy. Support the implementation of a comprehensive substance
abuse strategy to support healthy living and contribute to a sustainable community.
2. Identify substance abuse prevention as key to a sustainable community.
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3. Obtain sustainable resources. Access sustainable funding and resources to assist in
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4. Advocate for coordinated services, increased communication and
harmonized action. Advocate for system changes to provide better access to coordinated services and
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Work with leaders in Kenora to identify substance abuse prevention as a key contributing factor for a
sustainable community.
implementing this strategy.
support to increase communication between service providers.
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5. Address service gaps and maximize services. Address service gaps and maximize existing
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6. Provide information and support. Provide information and support so that service providers
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7. Build awareness. Work with stakeholders to build awareness about substance abuse.
8. Provide a continuum of enforcement options. Work with enforcement agencies to
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services to ensure that service providers offer a seamless continuum of support.
and intermediaries in Kenora are well informed about training, resources, and services.
provide a continuum of enforcement options that are demonstrated to be effective for harm reduction and
substance abuse prevention in the community of Kenora.
Highlight of Activities for 2011
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1. Delegation to the City of Kenora Municipal Council for their support of
the Task Force and Municipal Drug Strategy
2. Development of our website http://substanceabuse.kenora.ca in
consultation with Mike Newton Design, (Facebook link, “Contact Us”
component, current calendar of events)
3.Presentation to physicians, NOSM students, pharmacists and allied health
professionals in September on the Task Force and the issue of prescription
drug abuse in the community.
4.The Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Ball Tournament held October 1st
was an excellent partnership event held with leadership from Kenora Chiefs
Advisory. Eight teams came together for this fun-filled day and together
nearly $5,000 was raised to focus efforts on raising the issue of prescription
drug abuse. Highlights of the day long event can be viewed on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5RT-yiislA
Highlight of Activities for 2011
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5. Meeting with Greg Rickford at his local office in November.
Discussing funding opportunities and getting Greg’s
endorsement and partnership for the Task Force.
6. Expanding on the “No Easy Way Out” Campaign (developed
by Northern Ontario staff at the Centre for Addiction and
Mental Health), we developed and erected our billboard on
Highway 17 East to further raise awareness of the prescription
drug abuse issues in our community. The toll free number for
Crisis Response Services of the Kenora and Rainy River
Districts was utilized to provide a number for individuals to call
should they need help.
Highlight of Activities for 2011
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6. “No Easy Way Out Campaign” – (cont.)
Radio PSA campaign with Q-104 – 2 month
extensive radio campaign with focus on Teen
Drinking, Marijuana Facts, Prescription Drug
Abuse
Book marks, promotional material
7. Task Force logo/”branding” (Mike Newton
Design)
Enforcement
Kenora Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Task Force
Activities
• Strong partnerships with treatment resources to ensure that
individuals are proactively referred to the appropriate agencies.
• Ensure appropriate referrals are made for people with mental
health challenges.
• Education of justice officials related to public safety threats
due to substance use and abuse.
• Increased communication and efficiencies among Police,
Corrections, Crown Attorneys and Probation Services.
Activities
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Distinguish between offenders to be provided
community support and those who require a
court sanction.
Invoke bail and probation terms that will assist
in breaking the cycle of addiction and prevent
re-victimization.
Enforcement activities targeting drug dealers,
bootleggers and repeat offenders.
2011 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health
Survey (OSDUHS) Drug Use Report (CAMH)
Top 5 drugs – Province:
alcohol (54.9%)
cannabis (22.0%)
N-M opioid pain relievers (14.0%)
cigarettes (8.7%)
OTC cough/cold medication (6.9%)
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Top 5 drugs – North:
alcohol (59.5%)
high-caffeine energy drinks (53.7%)
any illicit drug use including N-M
prescription drugs (37.8%)
binge drinking (30.1%)
cannabis (29.8%)
26% of northern students report becoming drunk at least once during
the 4 weeks before the survey.
24% of northern students report drinking at a hazardous or harmful
level.
21% of northern students had been a passenger in a vehicle, at least once
in the past year, with a driver who had been drinking.
19% of northern students report that they were intoxicated at school at
least once during the past 12 months before the survey.
11.7% of northern students indicate both hazardous/harmful drinking
and elevated psychological distress, measuring symptoms of anxiety and
depression.
2011 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health
Survey (OSDUHS) Drug Use Report (CAMH)
When comparing northern data vs. provincial data,
students are above the provincial average on:
-binge drinking
-drunkenness
-hazardous/harmful drinking
-cannabis use
-cigarette smoking
-mushroom/mescaline use
-cocaine/crack use
-consumption of energy drinks
-intoxicated at school
-cannabis use and driving
-drinking and operating a snowmobile/motor boat/Sea-doo/ATV
-been passenger with a driver who had been using drugs
We still have a lot of work to do in Northern
Ontario……….
Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.
Edmund Burke
Kenora Drug Strategy
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The Kenora Drug Strategy is a comprehensive
action plan describing how the community will
work together to prevent and reduce the
incidence of substance abuse and its impact on
the total community, as well as preserve the
community’s quality of life and future.
Goals:


1. Implement a comprehensive strategy. Support the implementation of a comprehensive substance abuse strategy to
support healthy living and contribute to a sustainable community.
2. Identify substance abuse prevention as key to a sustainable community. Work with leaders
in Kenora to identify substance abuse prevention as a key contributing factor for a sustainable community.


3. Obtain sustainable resources. Access sustainable funding and resources to assist in implementing this strategy.
4. Advocate for coordinated services, increased communication and harmonized
action. Advocate for system changes to provide better access to coordinated services and support to increase communication
between service providers.

5. Address service gaps and maximize services. Address service gaps and maximize existing services to
ensure that service providers offer a seamless continuum of support.

6. Provide information and support. Provide information and support so that service providers and
intermediaries in Kenora are well informed about training, resources, and services.


7. Build awareness. Work with stakeholders to build awareness about substance abuse.
8. Provide a continuum of enforcement options. Work with enforcement agencies to provide a
continuum of enforcement options that are demonstrated to be effective for harm reduction and substance abuse prevention in
the community of Kenora.
Enforcement
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Substance abuse is the catalyst for the vast majority of crime
disorder.
Alcohol and drugs lead to violent crime, property crimes and
major social issues.
Legislation is for our safety.
Police are mandated to prevent crime, enforce the law, maintain
public order and provide assistance to victims of crime.
Does high enforcement work?
Links – General disorder to crime.
Goal is to reduce crime and victimization. Ultimately the
individual behaviour of the offender will dictate what happens.
Enforcement – Other Considerations
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Substance abuse related deaths and injury.
Public intoxication, intimidation, aggressive
panhandling, indecent acts, trespassing and
disturbances are not victimless situations.
Quality of life and economic impact.
Youth – Our future.
Enforcement links to treatment and prevention.
Community Partners Involved
Alzheimer Society – Kenora/Rainy River Districts
Anishinaabe Abinoojii Family Services
Canadian Mental Health Association – Kenora Branch
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Changes Recovery Homes
City of Kenora
Community Mental Health Support Services (KACL)
Crown Attorney’s Office
Fellowship Centre
Federal Probation and Parole
Grand Council Treaty #3
Jubilee Church of God
Keewatin-Patricia District School Board
Kenora Catholic District School Board
Kenora Chiefs Advisory
Kenora Health Access Centre
Kenora Jail
Kenora-Patricia Child & Family Services
Kenora Sexual Assault Centre
Lake of The Woods Child Development Centre
Lake of The Woods District Hospital Community Programs
Legal Aid Ontario
Liquor Control Board of Ontario
Ministry of Children and Youth Services – Youth Justice Services
National Native Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP)
Nechee Friendship Centre
Northern Youth Centre
Northwestern Community Legal Clinic
Northwestern Health Unit
Ontario Provincial Police
Treaty Three Police
William W. Creighton Youth Services
Provincial Adult Probation and Parole
Community Initiatives
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Strengthening Families For The Future
Strengthening Families for the Future involves the entire family
in exercises to learn new skills. Children between the ages of 7 –
11 participate in the program; however the entire family is
invited to attend. Children under age 7 attend child supervision
and those older than 11 can choose to assist with program
activities or do their own activities. In the 14 week program,
families learn to solve problems together and to communicate
better. The goal is to improve family relationships and build
child resilience. The program was designed for at risk families –
but the skills learned in the program could benefit all families.
Community Initiatives
“Opening Doors”
Partnership between OPP, LWDH Community
Programs, Kenora Catholic School Board, Ne
Chee Friendship Centre Centre
After school program for youth 10 -14
Activity based
Positive Peer mentorship
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Community Initiatives
“Opening Doors”
Partnership between OPP, LWDH Community
Programs, Kenora Catholic School Board, Ne
Chee Friendship Centre Centre
After school program for youth 10 -14
Activity based
Positive Peer mentorship
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Community Initiatives
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Kenora Community Fall & Spring Feast
Community capacity building
50 local organizations contributing!
Partnerships and understanding emerge
Community Initiatives
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Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness
Campaign
Baseball Tournament fund raising event
Saturday, October 1st
Bill Board message, radio PSA’s
Drug Awareness Week – November 21 – 27th
Medicine cabinet clean out/recovery breakfast
YAD (Youth Against Drugs) Much Music
Event
Community Initiatives
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Presentation to local doctors, dentists & pharmacists
(knowledge exchange, awareness created)
Methadone program presentation to doctors
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Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did
nothing because he could do only a little.
Edmund Burke