Document 1
Integrated Drugs
and Addictions Strategy
Terms of Reference
Background:
The Mayor has hosted several
meetings with Community leaders and City staff to begin to identify next steps
in the approach to developing an Integrated Drugs and Addictions Strategy that
will address the current programs, subsequent gaps and anticipated needs in our
community with respect to the problematic use of alcohol, legal and illegal
drugs. The Integrated Drugs and
Addictions Strategy initiative will include a number of Community leaders and
experts in the development of a comprehensive strategy for implementation. The
proposed strategy is a holistic approach that considers the needs of
individuals across all age groups (prenatal to seniors) as well as families and
the community at large.
Mandate:
The purpose of this initiative is to identify gaps, capacity issues and integration opportunities in the area of prevention, treatment, enforcement, and harm reduction. Based on findings, priority actions will be identified and recommendations will be made to Council. In addition, this initiative will propose strategies for implementing the recommendations as well as recommend ongoing mechanisms to sustain the integration and evaluation of services.
Objectives:
The objectives of Ottawa’s Integrated Drugs and Addictions Strategy are to:
§ Seek to ensure that residents live in a community increasingly free of the harms associated with problematic substance use.
§ Reduce the demand for and supply of illicit drugs.
§ Contribute to a healthier, safer Ottawa through integrated prevention, treatment, enforcement and harm reduction initiatives.
§ Create supportive environments that promote the health and resiliency of individuals, families and communities in order to prevent problematic use of alcohol and other illicit drugs.
§ Reduce harm associated with alcohol and illicit drugs to individuals, families and communities across all age groups (prenatal to seniors) across Ottawa.
§ Co-ordinate and integrate comprehensive policies, programs and services that address substance use.
§ Lobby other levels of government to take action and responsibility for elements of the strategy within their jurisdiction.
Scope:
- Complete a comprehensive list of current programs available in our community with respect to drug use in the 4 pillars:
· Prevention (including education and communication)
· Treatment
· Enforcement
· Harm Reduction
- Develop a strategy for integrating all service provision into a comprehensive plan.
- Identify priorities based on gaps in service provision, the highest need within the community and based on consultation with stakeholders
- Make recommendations to Council to address the gaps through strategies and actions.
- Develop an evaluation framework to review effectiveness of those strategies and actions
Ottawa’s Integrated Drugs and Addictions Strategy – Four Pillar Model
Definition of Prevention: A set of interventions designed to avoid the physical, mental and emotional affects of disease and injury associated with substance abuse. Prevention is more than education. It includes strengthening the health, social and economic factors that can reduce the risk of substance use. This includes access to health care, stable housing, education and employment. Often divided into primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.
Primary prevention seeks to prevent the occurrence altogether i.e. no use.
Secondary Prevention seeks to limit the duration or amount of use before permanent damage occurs.
Tertiary Prevention seeks to minimize complications and premature deterioration associated with use.
Definition of Treatment:
A
set of interventions that seek to improve physical, emotional and psychological
health and well-being of people who have an unhealthy dependence on substances.
Definition of Enforcement:
A
set of interventions that seek to strengthen community safety by responding to
crimes and community disorder issues associated with the importation,
manufacturing cultivation, distribution, possession and use of legal and
illegal substances.
Definition of Harm Reduction:
A holistic philosophy that integrates a set of practical coordinated and
evidence-based strategies that seek to reduce harm associated with drug and
alcohol use to users, children and youth, families and the community at large. The approach can range from safer substance
use to abstinence, and the strategies will strive for integration between
prevention, treatment, education, enforcement and services.
Definition of Addictions: An 'addiction' is seen as a complex, progressive behaviour pattern having biological, sociological, and behavioural components. It is a compulsion to repeat behaviour, regardless of its consequences. It is an inability to reduce consumption in spite of consequences, harm to self, family, work or school or the community. It is a chronic pattern of behaviour, which includes a craving for more of the drug, or of the initial behaviour, increased physiological tolerance to exposure, and withdrawal symptoms in the absence of the stimulus.
Milestones:
|
Phase |
Activity |
Timelines |
|
Planning |
Develop membership for each group Develop terms of reference document including objectives of the initiative Terms of Reference Report |
October 2005 – January 2006 |
|
Content Development |
Compile and analyze available research on issues and services in Ottawa |
15 Dec – April 2006 |
|
Consultation |
Develop consultation plan Conduct consultation Compile findings |
10 Feb – 10 Mar 2006 |
|
Strategy Development |
Priority setting Develop recommendations |
10 Mar – 7 Apr 2006 |
|
Report Development |
Compile Steering Committee recommendations to Committee and Council |
Apr – May 2006 |
Summary of Key Deliverables:
Planning October 2005-January 2006
Terms of Reference Document
- A document defining the objectives, roles and
responsibilities, key deliverables, timelines and reporting relationships
between each group
Terms of
Reference Report
§
A report to Health Recreation and Social Services
Committee and Council that will describe the prevalence of substance abuse
issues in Ottawa, resulting impact and the proposed Ottawa Integrated Drugs and
Addictions Strategy structure developed to deal with the issues.
§
Appendix A: Terms of Reference.
Content Development December 15
– April 2006
Compilation of
Available Research in Ottawa
§
A document that outlines a further refinement of the
prevalence in Ottawa based on existing and available research.
§
A document that outlines current service provision in
Ottawa in the area of prevention, treatment, harm reduction and enforcement.
§
A gap analysis of existing service provision.
§
Identification of opportunities for integration.
Consultation 10
February – 10 March 2006
Consultation Strategy
§ A document that outlines:
o Consultation approach
o Objectives of consultation process
o Groups to be consulted
o Role of various advisory structures (eg., parent advisory)
o Consultation schedule
o Presentation material
o Information collection methodology
Strategy Development 10
March – 7 April 2006
Recommendation Strategies
§ A document identifying priorities as identified through the consultation process, resulting recommendations and implementation strategy for going forward. The strategies will be approved by the Steering Committee based on Community Network feedback.
Report Development April
– May 2006
Final Report
§ A report from the Community Network which will outline
o Prevalence
o Impact
o Service provision in Ottawa as it relates to substance abuse
o Priorities identified through consultation
o Recommendations based on three categories
§ Quick wins
§ Short term
§ Future consideration
o Strategies for implementation
o Evaluation Process
Project
Organization
Community Network of Community leaders will:
o Establish the vision for the strategy
o Provide direction and leadership
o Act as community champions
o Support activities of the working group by providing data, information and expertise as required.
o Lobby other community leaders in support of an Integrated Drugs and Addictions Strategy.
o Mobilize the community in support of an Integrated Drugs and Addictions Strategy.
o Submit report to Committee and Council
Steering committee will:
o Have expertise in the 4 pillars.
o Be a subset of the Community Network Committee.
o Make decisions based on consensus.
o Be available to meet regularly based on need.
o Be able to bring resources to accomplish the required work of the committee.
o Provide implementation direction on the overall plan
based on feedback from the Community Network.
o Establish the work plan for the working group.
o
Approve
Initiative deliverables based on feedback and on behalf of the Community Network.
Working group will:
o Be knowledgeable in the field of drug use and program delivery
o Analyze existing information and identify gaps in the current service provision in the areas identified in the mandate.
o Identify priorities in our community based on consultation
o Form additional working groups including additional community representation as required to support the initiative
o Complete a benchmark exercise with respect to best practices in program delivery.
o Develop recommendations and actions based on consultation feedback
o Inform the Steering Committee and the Community Network Committee of findings.
Approach:
Coordination and Integration are the fundamental principles of Ottawa’s Integrated Drugs and Addictions Strategy. This will be achieved at all levels of the initiative structure through the multi-disciplinary participation on Community Network, Steering Committee and Working group. Together, there will be dialogue on the analysis of the current service provision in our community, associated integration points and subsequent gaps. Priorities will be identified through consultation. Recommendations will be developed by the Working Group and submitted to the Steering Committee and the Community Network for consideration. Based on feedback an action plan will be developed.
Organization
Structure
City Council Community Network Community Leaders
& Champions Define the
overall strategy Mobilize the
Community Support Provide direction
to the Steering Committee
Organization Structure
Appendix
A
Membership List
Community Network – Individuals involved in setting policy and providing direction in the area of the 4 pillars
Co- chaired by a community
leader with significant knowledge and experience of the subject matter and one
with hands on experience in the area of substance misuse with leadership
skills.
Senior City Staff
Ottawa Police Services
Ottawa Public Health
Political Leaders
Senior Hospital administrators
Directors of Treatment Centres
OCRI
School Boards
Academics
Crime Prevention Council
Parent Representation from the Parent Advisory Committee
Alliance to End Homelessness
Insurance Sector
Rehabilitation Sector
Young Offenders Network
Ottawa Alliance on Impaired Driving
Youth Representatives (Youth Net)
Media Leaders
Popcorn Group
Community Resource Centre
Community Health & Resource Centres
Sandy Hill Community Resource Centre
Young/Single Parent Support Network
Family Service Centre
Urban Aboriginal Coalition
Vanier Focus Community (Francophone Youth)
Cross Sectoral School Boards Network
Centre Director – University of Ottawa Community Evaluation and Research
Pharmacist Network
Centre of Excellence
Diverse Communities
Crisis Management
Mental Health organizations
Local Health Integration Networks
Landlords
Housing
Steering Committee – Individuals involved in managing the operations in the 4 areas.
Chair: Steve Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager of Community and Protective Services
Vice Chair: Alfred Cormier, Centre for Addictions and Mental Health
Deputy City Manager
Police Chief
Medical Officer of Health
Representation from Addictions Agencies
Representation from Additions and Mental Health Organization
Representation from Children’s Advocacy Groups
Working Group - Individuals involved in direct service delivery in the 4 areas
City staff
Treatment intervention workers
Public Health
Police Services
Communications resource
Additions and Mental Health Organizations
Support Resources
Support to the initiative will be provided by:
§ 1/3 resource from Public Health Branch, Deputy City Manager and Police Services
§ 1 resource from the Deputy City Manager of Community and Protective Services’ Office
Glossary
of Terms
Substance Abuse: A destructive pattern of substance use
leading to clinically significant (social, occupational, medical) impairment or
distress.
Illicit Drugs -A
psychoactive substance, the production, sale, or use of which is prohibited.
Strictly speaking, it is not the drug that is illicit, but its production,
sale, or use in particular circumstances in a given jurisdiction (see
controlled substances). "illicit drug market", a more exact term,
refers to the production, distribution, and sale of any drug outside legal1y
sanctioned channels
Quick Wins – Describes a solution that can be implemented using the existing resources in a short period of time (less than one year) and is within the control of the groups involved.
Short Term - Describes a solution that can be implemented is additional resources are made available in a short period of time (less than one year) and is within the control of the groups involved.
Future Consideration – Describes a solution that requires further investigation, that cannot be implemented in a short period of time (less than one year) or that may not be within the control of the groups involved.