The Boundary Communities are involved in a new engagement project to open up dialogue on the opioid misuse in our communities.
This crisis is in the hearts and minds of people all across the province. This devastating public health emergency impacts us all, directly or indirectly.
The Opioid Dialogue Program will run over a six month period throughout the boundary area.
The University of Victoria’s based Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research provided select communities with grants to support community dialogues in response to the opioid overdose crisis in British Columbia. This funding was obtained as a legacy through the Boundary Local Action Team for Child and Youth mental Health and Substance Use (LAT), and is managed by Boundary Family Services.
We will be engaging in dialogues with community members, educators, health care providers, front line workers, families, and those living the effects of substance misuse.
Unlike many other forms of public communication this dialogue is not meant to lead immediately to agreement or action. Instead, the hope is that participants will come away with a better understanding of the subject, of each other, and of themselves. This new understanding means community members will be able to work together more effectively.
There is so much mixed emotions on the subject, empathy, understanding, frustration, anger, and the hope is to create discussions of all the different opinions that exist around this crisis. “And hopefully we can bring the community together in the middle.”
Together we would like to hear everyone’s voice, their different views, and different ideas around how to address the opioid use in our communities. Together we hope to find ideas to keep our communities safe, and assist our communities members in rebuilding hope.
The bottom line is, how did we get here and where as a community do we go now?
Any questions on the project, and those that would like to share your thoughts and the crisis are welcome to email lisa_cartwright@hotmail.com or call 250.666.0678
