It’s been ten years since the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy held its first meeting in 2009, led then by the now Honourable Patty Hajdu, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North and Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour. Minister Hajdu joined the anniversary celebration today at City Hall to mark the occasion since the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy began as a steering committee in April 2009.

 

“From ending the punitive prohibition of cannabis to promoting the harm reduction of safe injection sites, our government has been implementing the ground breaking policy we were calling for at the first drug strategy meeting a decade ago. I am honoured to celebrate this milestone with community members and previous colleagues whom I’ve worked closely with over the years towards building greater understanding and awareness about substance use, as well as establishing opportunities for increased harm reduction in Thunder Bay and the region,” said Minister Hajdu. “The hard work and dedication of Drug Strategy members has resulted in increased community awareness, as well as the development of programs to ensure those struggling find the support they need.”

 

Since inception, the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy has maintained a roster of approximately 35 active member organizations who oversee and direct the priorities of eight working groups. About 65 members from multiple sectors participate on the working groups and regularly collaborate on established priorities in areas such as housing, trauma-informed care, maternal substance use and harm reduction.  

 

“Through our strong network of community partners and members who generously invest their time, money and expertise, the Drug Strategy continues to provide the community with support in awareness and education, prevention and harm reduction programs in the city,” said Cynthia Olsen, Thunder Bay Drug Strategy Coordinator. “We look forward to another ten years of continued success.”

 

Noteworthy programs over the years include the Managed Alcohol Program, which houses some of the most marginalized members of our community and has been a model of care for other communities. And work in harm reduction has resulted in a full-time overdose prevention site at NorWest Community Health Centres.

 

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Contact:           Cynthia Olsen, Coordinator-Thunder Bay Drug Strategy, (807) 625 2942, colsen@thunderbay.ca