Fort Frances town council will hear from the Northwestern Health Unit’s Medical Officer of Health tonight.

Dr. Kit Young Hoon is scheduled to speak about opioid overdoses and deaths.

Dr. Young Hoon wrote to council in February asking they consider measures such as having Naloxone available at municipal buildings and training staff on how to use it correctly.

The health unit says the Fort Frances area has seen a 370 per cent increase since 2017 in the number of overdose cases at the hospital’s emergency department.

Thirty-four per cent of all opioid-related deaths within the health unit’s catchment area in 2022 were in the Fort Frances health hub.

Also, at their meeting tonight, council will consider becoming part of a coalition concerned with CN’s plans to replace the Ranier bridge.

A recommendation suggests that if the town participates, it is not interested in being part of any litigation, nor will it provide any funding to the cause.

Council will also consider a recommendation to change the admission fees at the Fort Frances Museum.

A recent review found some inconsistencies.