Ontario’s overdose crisis: Addressing inhalation and stimulant use

Ontario’s overdose epidemic continues to threaten people who use drugs and their families and communities. It has also been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the homelessness crisis.

The response to the overdose epidemic has traditionally focused on opioid injection use, in particular with fentanyl. However, recent data tell us that inhalation and stimulant use are also major contributors to overdose deaths.

This webinar will be a panel discussion with harm reduction experts, including frontline workers, researchers and people with lived experience. They will discuss emerging overdose trends in Ontario related to inhalation and stimulants and recommendations for harm reduction practice.

Moderator: Christopher Hoy, Manager, Hepatitis C Community Programming, CATIE

Speakers:

• Chasse Gibeault, Community Prevention Worker, Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy
• Tali Cahill, Nursing Team Lead, Sandy Hill Community Health Centre
• Christy Herr, Public Health Nurse, Northwestern Health Unit
• Dr. Tara Gomes, Epidemiologist, Principal Investigator, Ontario Drug Policy Research Network
• Dr. Carol Strike, Professor, University of Toronto
• Alison Bray, Harm Reduction Community Education Coordinator, OAHAS
• Will Lacy, Community Harm Reduction Provider

Click here for a list of resources shared during the webinar

This webinar is a partnership between the Ontario Harm Reduction Distribution Program, the Ontario Harm Reduction Network and CATIE. CATIE is supported by the Ontario Ministry of Health to deliver information and education for hepatitis C service providers in Ontario.