Hamilton Drug Strategy

Prevention Goal
To prevent youth aged 12-24 from ever using substances

Prevention Objectives
To increase the skills of staff in schools and youth serving organizations to teach youth about the harms of substance use

Harm Reduction Goal
To Reduce the harms caused by substance use in the community

Harm Reduction Objectives
To increase access to naloxone to reverse and reduce opioid overdoses
To reduce the stigma people with substance use disorders face from the public and harm reduction service providers to improve their chances of seeking harm reduction support.

Social Justice/Justice Goal
To increase access to community services for people involved in the justice system

Social Justice/Justice Objectives
To increase access to diversion programs for youth and adults facing substance-use related charges
To increase adults transitioning from provincial corrections system to community support programs
To increase diversion of people with substance use related intoxication from emergency departments to withdrawal management services

Treatment Goal
To improve accessibility and quality of care within addiction treatment and rehabilitation services

Treatment Objectives
To increase treatment service providers who screen, assess and develop treatment or service delivery plans for people with substance use disorders.
To reduce the stigma people with substance use disorders face from treatment service providers to improve their chances of seeking and maintaining treatment support.

Innovation
The Hamilton Drug Strategy will explore new and non-traditional forms of evidence-based information, actions, and interventions.

Communication
We will ensure that communication will be open, transparent and timely.

Collaboration
We will ensure meaningful collaboration that is fair, balanced and respectful between all partners and those with lived experience.

Evidence-Based
Our actions will be based on quantitative and qualitative evidence from multiple sources including but not limited to: clinical and population health research; community health issues and local context; experience; community needs and political support; and resources.

Social Justice
The Hamilton Drug Strategy emphasises social and justice principles, developing action plans to incorporate equity and social determinants of health including; equality relative to economic, political and social opportunities, cultural and ethnic diversity, and all forms of social injustice attached to poverty, discrimination and stigma. This approach is cognisant of the Justice system’s emphasis toward ensuring the administration of laws that are concerned with justice, fairness, reasonableness and a genuine respect for people.