CP Scoop - March 12th, 2024

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OTHER NEWS

Carleton Place Tourism – March Madness of Small Towns

Attention Carleton Place residents! Showcase your community pride by participating in the Chez 106 Biggs & Barr's March Madness of Small Towns contest! Carleton Place Tourism is asking residents to take two (2) minutes to vote for Carleton Place as their favourite small town! 

Last year, Carleton Place made it to the finals, and we almost won! We need YOU, the incredible residents, to show your support this year! 

This is our chance to shine and celebrate the reasons why we love calling Carleton Place home! You can also help by spreading the word with neighbours, friends, and family. You have two (2) days to vote for this bracket and can vote again for future brackets to make sure we can bring home the victory for Carleton Place! Last year, Biggs & Barr hosted a celebration in the winning town with a live broadcast, bouncy castles, food, fun, and more! 

Participate in the contest by visiting the Chez 106 website.

If you have any questions about the contest, please contact Carleton Place Tourism at tourism@cpchamber.com or call 613-257-1976. 

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit Updates Community About Toxic Drug Supply

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGL) is raising awareness of an increase in drug poisoning-related emergency room visits in LGL over the past two (2) weeks. In the previous two (2) weeks, LGL has seen 21 emergency room visits; this is double the number of visits we typically see in our area. The Health Unit monitors drug poisoning locally through the drug poisoning early warning and surveillance system. This system monitors data sources such as emergency room visits, Ontario Chief Coroner reports and the online overdose reporting tool used by community partner agencies to notify the Health Unit of drug poisoning that may not have sought medical care.

Along with the recent increase in drug poisonings, the Health Unit has also been made aware of the presence of Xylazine in the unregulated drug supply locally. Xylazine can cause deep sedation, slow down breathing and heart rate, lower blood pressure, increase blood sugars, constrict pupils and cause extreme feelings of tiredness and fatigue. The risk of experiencing a fatal drug poisoning significantly increases if there is Xylazine unknowingly mixed with other substances such as opioids (i.e., fentanyl) or benzodiazepines (i.e., lorazepam) that cause sedation and central nervous system depression.

The Health Unit is reminding the general public and those who use substances that Xylazine DOES NOT respond to naloxone, the medication used to reverse opioid drug poisoning. The Health Unit continues to encourage naloxone training and administration but is highlighting the importance of calling 911 for medical assistance in all suspected drug poisonings. Naloxone remains highly effective in reversing opioid overdose even when other substances are involved. 

All drug poisonings are considered a medical emergency and seeking out emergency medical care is a vital step in the prevention of further fatalities.

The risk of an overdose can be reduced by following safer use practices;

• Call 911 in the event of an overdose
• Carry a naloxone kit
• Avoid mixing substances
• Use a small test dose first
• Do not use alone
• If you have no other choice than to use alone, call the Overdose Prevention Hotline 1-888-688-6677 (National Overdose Response Service)

For more information, visit: the Health Unit’s website or call 1-800-660-5853 or connect with @LGLHealthUnit on Facebook and Twitter or @lglhealthunit.z on Instagram.

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit Reminding Residents of Testing for Syphilis

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit is reminding residents about a local rise in cases of syphilis, and to consider getting tested for syphilis.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted through unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner, including through mutual masturbation and sharing of sex toys. It can spread by direct contact with bacteria contained in syphilitic sores or rashes. It can also be passed from an infected mother to her infant during pregnancy.

You and your partner may not always have noticeable symptoms. Testing and treatment can prevent serious health problems. Testing for syphilis is recommended when people have new or multiple partners (and upon request of the individual). For those with multiple partners, testing can be done every three (3) to six (6) months.

If you are pregnant or planning on having a baby, it is important to get tested. Early detection and treatment can prevent health problems for you and your baby.

To access free testing, visit a Health Unit sexual health clinic in one of seven (7) different locations across Leeds, Grenville and Lanark. Staff are non-judgemental, welcoming those of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations into safe and positive spaces. Clients who attend these clinics do not need to have a health card or a primary health care provider.

The Health Unit also is involved with the University of Ottawa’s GetAKit program which provides at-home testing kits for HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections. These kits can be ordered directly from the Health Unit website and are mailed to your home at no cost.

Anyone seeking additional information can reach out through the Health Unit email address: contact@healthunit.org or call the toll-free number: 1-800-660-5853 to speak to a public health nurse.

Accessing local Sexual Health clinics is easier than ever with the Health Unit’s new online booking system however, anyone without a computer can still call the Health Unit directly to arrange an appointment. Clinics in Brockville, Smiths Falls, Gananoque, Kemptville and Almonte may also be able to offer services to walk-ins however, appointments are highly encouraged.

What Does Homelessness Look Like in Lanark County?

The following is part of a series about homelessness in Lanark County.

In Ontario, and Lanark County, homelessness is defined as “a situation in which an individual or family is without permanent, appropriate housing or the immediate prospect, means and ability of acquiring it.”

This can look like many things. It could mean staying in a makeshift shelter (such as an encampment or a vehicle) or no shelter at all. It could be an emergency shelter or temporary accommodation, such as couch surfing with friends or family. It could be someone leaving a provincial institution, such as a correctional facility, hospital, or the child welfare system, with nowhere to go.

“We have to remember that circumstances change for people,” said Emily Hollington, Director of Lanark County Social Services. “Things may be going along just fine, and then life takes a turn. People become ill and cannot work. They lose their job and suddenly their home is unaffordable. Costs for everything have increased, and maybe the job that was okay will no longer make ends meet and things become precarious and unaffordable. Maybe your spouse becomes violent and you have to leave but cannot afford to live on your own. We see people in all sorts of unfortunate situations.”

The county’s by-name list, which is a real-time list of people experiencing homelessness in the community, indicated 62 people were actively homeless as of February 29th, up from 54 on January 31st. Of those, 34 women and 28 men were deemed head of the household, and 17 people on the list are part of a family (couple, couple with children, or single-parent household). Five (5) people are over the age of 65. Twenty-four people are located in Smiths Falls, 19 in Carleton Place, 13 in Perth, four (4) in Mississippi Mills and two (2) in Tay Valley.

Currently, 24 people (or 39 percent) on the by-name list are couch surfing. Fifteen people are sheltered in hotels and motels in all three (3) towns. Two (2) people found themselves unable to work due to illness and are seeking rent support because now they cannot afford permanent or long-term housing. Eight (8) people are sheltered at Lanark County Interval House, second-stage housing and a Lanark County Mental Health crisis bed. Others are living in trailers or are basically unsheltered in cars and sheds. One (1) woman is precariously housed in a violent situation.

“Eviction, the affordable housing crisis, and coping with mental health or addictions issues can be barriers for people, but one (1) of the biggest barriers is stigma,” Hollington said. “People don’t choose to be homeless – it’s a last resort. We need to get rid of that shame so individuals feel comfortable accessing supports and we can try to get them into a stable situation more quickly.”

The Homeless Hub works to dispel myths around homelessness and notes people experiencing homelessness have the added challenge of constantly searching for food, shelter, and a sufficient source of income. If unemployed, searching for a job becomes even more challenging without access to a phone, computer, regular fixed address, transportation, proper clothing, and access to showers. Although some struggle with substance use and/or mental health issues, this is not always the case – as in the general population.

“Homelessness looks different for each person,” Hollington said. “Everyone experiencing homelessness has a complex set of circumstances to navigate. Showing some understanding and compassion goes a long way to reducing stigma and helping people on the path to housing stability.”

To learn more about housing supports in Lanark County, see https://www.lanarkcounty.ca/en/family-and-social-services/housing.aspx. If you are experiencing homelessness, call the Lanark County Homeless Response Team at 613-267-4200, extension 2140 or 1-888-952-6275, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or after hours at 613-206-1486.

Please Note: This email is not regularly monitored. Email: acharania@carletonplace.ca. Federal, Provincial, and Other news items are provided impartially, as a convenience and as a means of sharing information from higher levels of government and partner organizations.