First Windsor-Essex public input session on opioids planned for tonight

The people planning public input sessions about opioid addiction hope to hear from those directly affected by the drugs when they gather for the first meeting tonight.

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Two sessions are scheduled to take place this week, in conjunction with the new strategy announced last week to fight rising rates of overdoses and death from abuse of opioids.

The first will be held at the downtown Windsor YMCA tonight from 6- 9 p.m. and the other at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex on Oct. 18. Registration for both consultations is limited.

"What they're going to be able to do is provide us with that front-line actual contextual experience that'll make the strategies effective in the long run," explained Eric Nadalin from the Windsor-Essex health unit. "We can look at what's been done in other regions, but in order to determine how to make an impact at the individual level, we need to know the factors around why people are using these substances and how we can best approach them."

Those who wish to attend can call the health unit at 519-258-2146 ext. 3100 or sign up online. 

A survey is also available on the health unit's website.