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7 | Friday, J a n u a ry 1 3 , 2 0 1 7 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | w w w .insideH A LT O N .com Halton Region moves to stave o ff fentanyl crisis by Marta Marychuk Oakville Beaver Staff As the number of deaths caused by fentanyl is increasing, as the drug moves from the western provinces to Ontario, Halton region is not seeing an increase in fatalities. "It' s here," said Halton Regional Police (HRP) media relations Sgt. Barry Malciw, referring to fentanyl. "But it' s not the same volume as Vancouver." In November 2016, Halton police drug unit officers made their largest seizure to date of alleged illicit fentanyl. Last year, fentanyl was a contributing factor in three deaths in Halton, Malciw said. Malciw added there is no record of fentanyl being a contributing factor in deaths in Hal ton, prior to 2016. In 2016, one individual overdosed after ingesting fentanyl, a second overdosed after ingesting fentanyl and a mixture of other drugs. Police are waiting for the toxicology report of the third individual, to determine if fentanyl was a cause of death. In the meantime, hundreds of people in Western Canada have overdosed from fentanyl. Last August, Vancouver police reported dealing with 16 fentanyl overdoses in just one night. And Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins said opioid misuse is the third- | Metroland Media At left, In November 20 1 6 Det. Sgt. Raf Skwarka of the Halton Regional Police Drug and Morality Bureau displayed the largest seizure to date in Halton of illicit fentanyl. Above, the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit and local pharmacies have received naloxone kits, designed to reverse the deadly effects of opiod overdoses. | Metroland Media leading cause of accidental death in Ontario. Although fentanyl is available in Canada by prescription, the drug has gained widespread attention as a national epidemic because of the many people who are overdosing from illicit forms of the drug. "Fortunately, in Halton we are not seeing the alarming rates of opioid-related overdoses noted in other parts of the country," Halton' s Acting Commissioner of Health and Acting Medical Officer of Health wrote in a Jan. 10 memo to the Region' s Health and Social Services Committee. "In fact, Halton Region has some of the lowest rates of opioid related emergency hospitalisations and deaths in Ontario," the memo adds. All Halton ambulances carry Naloxone, the medication used to counteract the effects of opioid overdose and all paramedics have been trained in its use. In the last five years, Halton paramedics have administered Naloxone on average of 21 calls per year. A more detailed report regarding opioids in Halton, and measures to address this issue, will be coming forward to Halton Regional Council in the spring of 2017. Halton Region' s Sexual Health and Needles Exchange Program is working on rolling out the Halton Opioid Prevention Program (HOPP) which will increase community access to Naloxone kits. People could drop by the Region' s sexual health clinics to pick up kits or arrange a meeting with a community outreach worker to collect a kit. Halton' s Health Department has submitted its formal request to participate in the Ontario Naloxone Program and it' s expected to roll out in the coming months. Halton' s Health Department is monitoring opioid related emergency department visits and hospitalizations while working with the Ontario Coroner' s Office and HRP to enhance survellience. However, there remains a need for more timely and detailed data on the opioid problem in Ontario. Bhandari Family D entistry returns to Oakville BRiNG iN YO uR FAMILY FOR A C H E C K U P AT O uR N Ew MODERN CLiNIC D r. Bhandari is an advocate of oral health w ith 3 1 years of experience. H e and his team pride themselves for their professional and comprehensive approach to dentistry. D r. Bhandari has proudly w orked w ith a num ber of celebrities throughout his career, helping them m aintain their red carpet worthy sm iles! Customer care is our core concern. W hether you're looking for general maintenance, regular check-up treatments or cosmetic dentistry, w e can help. G ive D r. Bhandari a call to book your appointment or consultation. DR. Bh a n d a r i welcomes Jody Johnson, his new Hygienist. With many years of experience, Jody looks forward to treating her former and new patients. DR. V iN E E T B H A N D A R i BScDIH DDS M o n d a y to Friday 7 :3 0 - 5:00. Evening and S aturday ap p o in tm e n ts available. Full-Length Ballet in TwoActs Music by Sergei Prokofiev Choreography by Vladimir Vasiliev ORDER YOUR TICKETS NOW! 3 PM Palermo Professional Centre 2525 Old Bronte Rd., Suite 470 Oakville (at Dundas Street) · www.bhandaridental.com Simons w w w .liv in g a rts c e n tre .c a 905.306.6000 AR