Hamilton seeks $2.7M from Ottawa to fight opioid crisis
Eisenberger discusses city’s drug problem with health minister
The city wants $2.7 million over the next two years from the provincial and federal governments to fight a growing opioid addiction crisis.
Hamilton has the highest rates of opioid-related deaths, emergency department visits and hospital admissions compared with the 10 most populous health units in Ontario, concludes a report by public health services.
“Within current funding envelopes, the ability to make additional significant progress in addressing opioid misuse in Hamilton is limited,” warns the report dated April 20.
In March, the province gave Ottawa $2.5 million for a local plan to combat opioid addiction.
Hamilton has come up with its own plan, and city council formally approved the funding request Wednesday.
“We’ve come up with a list of needs that will hopefully address the opioid crisis better than we are doing today,” Mayor Fred Eisenberger said.
The top need is money to expand treatment.
“There is a real worry that folks who are ready for treatment weren’t able to get it immediately,” Eisenberger said. “Unfortunately, when drug addiction hits you and you come to the conclusion you want treatment, it may not last for more than a day or two and you are back into the addiction issues again … I know there is a waiting list significant enough to be worried.”
Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott says mayors including Eisenberger have “pressed” the issue.
“We know there is a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done in terms of access to treatment, and we’re increasingly taking steps as a federal government to make sure that all ranges of treatment are available to patients,” she said after making the keynote address at a Hamilton Health Innovation Week event at Mohawk College Thursday.
Philpott talked with Eisenberger about Hamilton’s opioid epidemic as part of a task force on the crisis, created by the Big City Mayors’ Caucus.
“Certainly, Hamilton is one of the communities that has been affected by this,” she said. “We are cognizant of the work being done in Hamilton.”
Eisenberger is optimistic the funding will come through, noting the federal government has made funding available to cities. “Hopefully, we can move this along as quickly as possible. There is certainly a great sense of urgency.”