Pills seized through Project Trapper , March 2020 (Supplied: Thunder Bay Police)

Fort Frances town council is reacting to the opioid crisis affecting the region.

Council this week showed its support for a regional approach in a lengthy worded motion.

It calls for a coalition of public health, relevant community agencies, and others to amplify the region’s concerns and identify strategies and resources.

Councillor Mandi Olson says it backs a request made to council by Northwestern Health Unit’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kit Young Hoon.

“It was actually a request that came from them for support to move this forward. And we thought, what better of an opportunity to really put it right into the motion itself that we support them in moving this actionable piece forward,” says Olson.

The motion also calls for adequate support and resources from the federal and provincial governments.

Here is the full motion.

WHEREAS Fort Frances recognizes that challenges of mental health, addictions, specifically opioids, and homelessness are complex issues that have a significant and detrimental impact on the residents of Fort Frances;

WHEREAS addressing and responding to these issues has placed extreme stress on all levels of municipal and non-municipal programs and services, including various not-for-profit organizations and provincially funded health services within Fort Frances and surrounding communities;

WHEREAS mental health, opioids and homelessness trends are, in recent years, at an all-time high, and such prevalence is impacting the overall well-being of the people of Fort Frances and the surrounding communities;

WHEREAS Fort Frances Council acknowledges that approaches to addressing and responding must include diverse and inclusive approaches to these issues and should not be viewed as a single solution response;

WHEREAS addressing and responding will require strategies and practices specific and uniquely designed for Fort Frances and surrounding communities;

WHEREAS Fort Frances Council accepts that the responsibility to address these challenges rests with community stakeholders, partners, residents, as well as federal and provincial government and agencies;

WHEREAS challenges of mental health, addictions and homelessness are not unique to Fort Frances; Fort Frances and surrounding communities hold the greatest prevalence of opioid crisis within Ontario; 

WHEREAS Fort Frances Council recognizes that municipal emergencies in Ontario are declared by the head of council as per the process detailed in the Emergency Management and Civil Protections Act; and

WHEREAS Fort Frances Council acknowledges that a declaration of emergency does not immediately result in a municipality receiving any additional funds or resources from a senior government level.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

1. THAT Council of the Town of Fort Frances directs staff to send a letter to all municipalities in Ontario, surrounding First Nation communities, MPs and MPPs, requesting letters of support advocating for additional resources to combat the opioid crisis. And further that these letters be forwarded to Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA), the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), and the federal and provincial government advocating the need for additional resources and support towards the current opioid crisis in Northwestern Ontario.

2. THAT we recommend and support the Northwestern Health Unit establish a north or northwest regional coalition of public health, relevant community agencies, and others, as appropriate, in order to amplify regional concerns and investigate potential strategies and resources.

Council also passed a motion to formally recognize September 21 as National Opioid Awareness Day.

They agreed to set aside a public space for activities “for healing and wellness for those who lost or are grieving the loss of grieving the loss of someone due to addictions.”