“Like many communities across North America, the opioid crisis is having a tragic impact on local families and communities across Renfrew County”
This comes from a Sept.11 news release from the Renfrew County District Health Unit, that went on to share that in 2023 there were 69 opioid overdose-related emergency department visits and 41 suspected drug poisoning deaths in Renfrew County.
The release went on to state that the rate of suspected drug poisoning deaths in 2023 was over 3 times the rate in 2018/19.
Local nonprofits, private and public sector organizations, and persons with lived experience have joined forces to begin the development of a Renfrew County and District Drug Strategy (RCDDS), led by co-chairs Dr. Jason Morgenstern, Medical Officer of Health for the Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU), and Jama Watt, Strategic Implementation Lead for the Ottawa Valley Ontario Health Team.
“The RCDDS truly brings together individuals from every sector – community and social services, addiction treatment, government, residents, public health, and healthcare,” states Dr. Morgenstern. “It’s exciting because the strategy will help coordinate the many great initiatives already underway, while systematically identifying the most effective ways to enhance our response.”
You can read more about the strategy here.
