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w w w .insideH A LT O N .com | O A K V ILLE B EA VE R | Friday, M a rc h 2 4 , 2 0 1 7 | 1 0 Opioid use lower in Halton than province, but up among youths by Marta Marychuk Oakville Beaver Staff Between 2 0 1 0 and 2015, Halton had an av erage of 13 deaths a year, (approximately 65 total) involving opioid toxicity, according to a report to the Region' s Health and Social Ser vices Committee. The report, Opioid Use in Halton and the Role of the Halton Region Health Department, was presented to the Health and Social Ser vices Committee for information Tuesday, March 21. b a ie r's · Opioids are a class of drugs that includes both illicit substances, such as heroin, and Other street drugs are prescription opioids used typically to treat being laced with severe, acute and chronic pain, such as mor fentanyl (a synthetic opioid phine, oxycodone and fentanyl. pain reliever) or "The good news is we're better off than other areas of Ontario," said Halton Hills opioids. Councillor Jane Fogal. But there was bad news. Dr. Daniela kempkens While Halton rated lower than the Ontario Acting Medical Officer of Health, Halton Region average for opioid use and lower than many other public health units in the province, the report states Halton has seen an increase -- consistent with provincial trends -- in opioidrelated emergency department visits and hos pitalizations over the past 10 years. And although deaths from opioids are lower in Halton than other areas, Emma Tucker, a manager and senior epidemiologist at Halton Health Department, said the number (of deaths from opioids) is higher among youths in Halton. M 99 "This is a huge problem for our youths," said Burlington Councillor Marianne Meed Ward. Canadians are now the second-highest per capita consumers of prescription opioids in the world, according to the report. Prescription of opioids for chronic pain began in the 1990s. And, between 2006 and 2011, the rates of prescribing high-dose opi oids in Ontario increased 23 per cent. Dr. Daniela Kempkens, Acting Medical Of ficer of Health for Halton Region, told council lors many youths have access to prescription opioids in the home, which has made the drug more accessible to youths for recreational use. But prescription opioids are just part of the problem. "Other street drugs are being laced with fentanyl (a synthetic opioid pain reliever) or opioids," Kempkens added. see Prescribing on p.12 upholstery & design www.baiers.ca 1000's of Designer fabrics to choose Y ears in business CALL US FORAN APPOINTMENT C O M E & S E E N E W G IF T IT E M S P E R F E C T FOR EASTER D e c o ra tiv e Bird H o uses n o w A vailable Sofas · C hairs · H e a d b o a rd s · Throw Pillows · D ra p ery & H a rd w a re 11-2345 Wyecroft Road,O akville · 905.616.3156 · info@baiers.ca Sca rve s access a b ilitie s I V ^ l I Your ability store.O ur passion. W id e V ariety of Bird Houses D a ily S a v in g s C lu b D o u b le P o in ts W e e k e n d ! O n n o w u n til M a r c h 2 6 th 3 3 5 0 F A IR V IE W S T R E E T , B U R L IN G T O N 9 0 5 - 6 3 4 - 7 7 0 0 · E M A I L : w b u 1 @ b e lln e t.c a W E B R IN G P EO PLE & N A T U R E TO G E T H E R You get just one funeral. Make it the one you want. C P A P T H E R A P Y WHEN IT COMES TO SLEEP, EVERY MINUTE COUNTS S O M E O F T H E B E N E F IT S O F C P A P T H E R A P Y IN C L U D E : · Feeling m ore rested · More e n erg e tic · Elimination of snoring · D ecreased risk fo r fatal and n o n-fatal card io v ascu la r even ts · Possible red u ction in Blood Pressure reducing th e risk o f stro k e 5 4 9 Bronte Rd, O a k v ille in fo @ a c c e s s a b ilitie s .c a 9 0 5 -8 2 5 -5 3 3 5 0 El You are unique. Your life is unlike any o th e r By pre-planning yo u r final arrangem ents now, you can ch o o se th e options th a t reflect h o w y o u w ant to be rem em bered. W hat's more, you can save th o usa n d s o f dollars and p ro te ct fam ily from uncertainty about y o u r wishes. Artw Executor'sHandbook Take th e first step: A sk us about your FR EE Planning Kit! WTiTestat 2(57 9 0 5 -2 5 7 -1 1 0 0 E Look for us on Facebook M e n t io n th is a d fo r glenoaks.ca p u rc h a s e o f m a s k . 20% OFF Glen Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery byArborMemorial 3164 Ninth Line (403 & Dundas St.), Miss./Oakville, ON Arbor Memorial Inc. w w w .a c c e s s a b ilitie s .c a _____________________________ A Family Owned. Proudly Canadian.