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WRCPC Agenda

December 15, 2017 Walper Hotel 20 Queen St S, Kitchener, ON N2G 1V6 King Conference Room 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (8:30 a.m. Breakfast)

Chair: Shayne Turner Minutes: Mary Anna Allen

1. Welcome and Introductions

2. Regional Chair Ken Seiling bringing Greetings from Regional Council

3. Approval of Agenda

4. Declaration of Conflict of Interest

5. Approval of the November 10, 2017 Minutes – (attached)

5.1 Business Arising

6. Approval of the Smart Update (Consent Agenda) - (attached) - 15 min

The bi-monthly consent agenda is meant to keep members of WRCPC informed of significant developments. Members of Council can “pull” an item any time for further discussion or for clarification.

7. Approval of WRCPC Actual vs. Budget 2017 - Christiane Sadeler - 5 min

While the core budget is provided for WRCPC by the Region this is an opportunity for members of Council to see what the budget looks like close to year-end and to ask questions or provide comment.

8. A Glance Back at 2017 – WRCPC team - Christiane Sadeler and Rohan Thompson - 15 min

Traditionally the December meeting is a time to see what we have been up to over the last year, take a moment to celebrate the collective work, remember some moments that might have been lost to busy lives and have re-discover some of the fun moments.

9. Violence Prevention Committee Update - for information Elin Moorlag-Silk - 30 min

Purpose/Outcome:

The Violence Prevention committee has developed a new work plan. As the committee responsible for advancing a forty year plan it was important to step back and reflect on next

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steps and the committee is now sharing those with the full Council for questions and comments.

Key Sectors: All

10. Book Review: Inferno - An Anatomy of American Punishment - Chris Cowie - 15 min

Purpose/outcome: As part of knowledge mobilization members of WRCPC will share information they gathered through reading a book, attending a seminar, etc. for the benefit of their colleagues on Council.

Key Sectors: All

11. Community Plan Review: Christiane Sadeler – 45 min Purpose/outcome: With the final year of the WRCPC Smart on Crime Plan coming up staff will provide a review of what has been accomplished, what is still pending, what was dropped and what was taken on but not planned in 2017. This allows Council to monitor its progress on the plan and starts the dialogue for the next operational phase and future planning efforts. Key Sectors: All

12. Other Business

13. Adjournment

14. Next Meeting: January 12, 2018

Happy Holidays!

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WRCPC Meeting Minutes

November 10, 2017 Waterloo Region Museum 10 Huron Rd., Kitchener Classroom A 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (8:45 a.m. networking)

Chair: Shayne Turner Minutes: M. A. Allen

Present: Barry Cull, Barry McClinchey, Cathy Harrington, Chris Cowie, Courtney Didier, Helen Jowett, Irene O’Toole, Jane Mitchell, Jennifer Mains, John Shewchuk, Jonathan English, Kathy Payette, Kelly Anthony, Liz Vitek, Mark Pancer, Michael Beazely, Mike Haffner, Peter Rubenschuh, Richard Eibach, Sarah Shafiq, Sharon Ward Zeller, Shayne Turner, Shirley Hilton, Tom Galloway, Trisha Robinson

Regrets: Andrew Jackson, Angela Vanderheyden, Bill Wilson, Carmen Abel, Carolyn Albrecht, Denise Squire, Douglas Bartholomew-Saunders and Carolyn Schoenfeldt, Felix Munger, Joe-Ann McComb, Judy Merkel, Karen Spencer, Kelly Bernier, Mark Poland, Michelle Sutherland

Staff and Students: Christiane Sadeler, Mary Anna Allen, Michael Parkinson, Rohan Thompson

1. Welcome and Introductions:

Welcome and introductions were made.

2. Approval of Agenda:

The Safe Ontario Act (Bill 175) was added to the agenda.

Moved by Kathy Payette and seconded by Richard Eibach. Carried

3. Declaration of Conflict of Interest: None

4. Approval of the October 13, 2017 Minutes:

4.1 Business Arising:

Two reports will be going forward to Community Services Committee of Regional Council:

1. The Good Samaritan Legislation 2. The KW Survey Summary. The large version of this report will be added to the

website

It was suggested that eventually the WRCPC might invite some communication partners early next year to begin to design key WRCPC messages about that the state of gun

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violence on Canada and other countries, indicators for violence and messaging for local actions. This information, when ready, will be brought back for comment and approval to the WRCPC.

Summary of the WRCPC Book reports will be placed on the WRCPC website.

Moved by Sharon Ward-Zeller seconded by Barry Cull. Carried

5. WRCPC Policy 101:

The Facilitating Committee reviewed the Governance policy with the intention of developing a condensed version of the policy for WRCPC to more easily refer to. The condensed version will then be provided to all members and also used during the nomination process. The intention for developing a condensed version of the policy is to support the WRCPC members and new members so that they can easily access the knowledge about their role as per policy.

6. Mapping Opioid Crisis knowledge/experiences of WRCPC:

After a second meeting with of the ad hoc working group regarding the opioid crisis there was some agreement that there needs to be more clarity as to which organization is doing what. But there was not much support for a larger mapping process at this time to identify the gaps.

At the last Facilitating Committee on November 2, 2017 the Committee agreed that it might be beneficial for the WRCPC to walk through the mapping exercise with those present at the table to identify how the opioid crisis is affecting the different partners and what is being done by whom

The WRCPC participated in an exercise to map out their own engagement in this area by responding to three questions:

1. What are you currently engaged in with regards to the opioid crisis and in what capacity?

2. What gaps do you experience? 3. What are you aware of in terms of actions in the community (beyond the table of the

WRCPC)?

The WRCPC staff will collect the information and prepare a report before the January Council meeting. Christiane asked that the WRCPC provide any future updates and changes to opioid related strategies within the community for inclusion in that report as they see fit.

7. Supervised Injection Sites Consultation:

Public Health (PH) in partnership with the Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy (WRIDS) is in the process of conducting a feasibility study on supervised injection sites in Waterloo Region. A brief background document about the supervised injection services feasibility study was made available to the WRCPC buy PH staff and is again attached to the minutes. As part of the study, Public Health and WRIDS are engaging a broad cross section of people who live, work, and go to school in Waterloo Region. They are conducting information

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and consultation sessions with strategic groups that are interested in Public Health’s response to the opioid crisis or are affected in some way by the presence of supervised injection services in Waterloo Region. As part of the process they engaged the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council in two focus group discussions to hear Council’s perspective on the benefits of supervised injection services, any questions or concerns Council may have and how to address them, ideas about geographic areas impacted, and service integration.

Please see PPT attached.

The WRCPC provided feedback and recommendations to the Public Health team (a full list of the recommendations will be provided by Public Health). The Council shared that although the safe injection sites are a good start the mandate could be more inclusive to reflect a broader reality of problematic substance use. The Council respectfully asked that Public Health consider broadening its mandate to include safe consumption sites.

PH staff shared that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care mandate is restricted to supervised injection sites but there may be an opportunity for the WRCPC to ask the Ministry to broaden the mandate to include supervised consumption sites.

A motion was put on the floor: To ask Public Health to broaden their mandate from

supervised injection sites to supervised consumption sites. Moved by Kathy Payette

and seconded by Sharon Ward-Zeller. Carried

8. Cannabis Working Group Update:

The Cannabis working group is represented by Shayne Turner, Courtney Didier, Armin Sethi (Crown Attorney’s Office), Kathy Payette, Kelly Anthony, Sloden Lackovic (WRPS), Erin Vandahl (WRPS), Bill Wilson, and Michael Beazely with staff support from Christiane Sadeler.

Recently, the Province introduces its policy statement and as part of its strategy came forward with the following pillars:

1. Protecting youth 2. Dealing with the illicit market 3. Focusing on the retail and distribution chain 4. Public awareness 5. Prevention

The group decided to focus on the prevention pillar of the Provincial Government’s strategy that also aligns with the Federal Government’s strategy.

As a next step, the group will prepare a report for next year for Regional Council and the WRPSB with the hopes of eventually forwarding the report to the Provincial and Federal Government and include recommendations that focus on upstream prevention.

Shayne Turner will keep the WRCPC updated on the progress of this work.

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9. Other Business:

9.1 Safer Ontario Act:

The Ontario Government recently released the Safer Ontario Act. Every community in the province is being mandated to develop a Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan. In the early stages of the Safer Ontario Act the WRCPC met with the Minister of Community Safety, at the time, and asked that the legislation not be too highly prescriptive. Through the efforts of the WRCPC and Wellbeing Waterloo Region the community is well positioned to fulfill this part of the legislation.

10. Adjournment:

Motion to adjourn by Helen Jowett. Carried at 11:40 a.m.

12/13/2017

1

Information and Consultation Sessions

Supervised Injection Services Feasibility Study

• Purpose, Approach, Roles

• Why Supervised Injection Services?

• Why Community Consultation?

• What are Supervised Injection Services?

• Questions?

• Consultation

Agenda

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Obtain input on:

• the benefits of supervised injection services

• any questions or concerns you may have and how to address them

• geographic areas impacted

• service integration

Purpose

• Listen

• Respect all views

• Seek to understand

• Ask questions

Approach

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3

• Guide you through the conversation

• Make sure everyone has a chance to talk

• Keep us on topic and on time

• Make sure that the note taker has what they need

My Role

• In the last year, communities across Canada have experienced various opioid issues, including overdose

• Federal and provincial governments recognize the seriousness of the issue and the province of Ontario has declared an Opioid crisis

Why Supervised Injection Services?

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4

Harm Reduction Services:

• Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services and our community partners have many harm reduction services to help people who inject drugs and for the community as a whole.

Why Supervised Injection Services?

Harm Reduction Services:

• Harm reduction services for people who inject drugs aim to keep people alive, safe and healthy even if they continue to use drugs. If we keep people alive, safe and healthy, they will have the opportunity to get treatment for addictions when they are ready.

Why Supervised Injection Services?

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5

Harm Reduction Services:

• Examples of harm reduction services include

• Needle syringe program

• Teaching about safer drug use

• Naloxone kits to reverse opioid overdoses

• Overdose prevention training

Why Supervised Injection Services?

• Public Health and community partners have started having conversations about supervised injection services

• No decisions have been made about providing supervised injection services in Waterloo Region

Why Community Consultation?

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6

• We are asking the community for their opinion about these services through these information and consultation sessions and other methods

• The content of this discussion will help with decisions about supervised injection services and how to address questions and concerns

Why Community Consultation?

• A supervised injection service is a legally operated indoor facility where people come to inject their own drugs under the supervision of medically trained workers

What are Supervised Injection Services?

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7

• People can inject there under safe and sterile conditions and have access to all sterile injecting equipment (cotton, cooker, water, etc.) and receive basic medical care and/or be referred to appropriate health or social services

What are Supervised Injection Services?

The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care says that every supervised injection service needs to have:• first aid

• education

• safe disposal (needle syringe program)

• naloxone distribution (to reverse opioid overdoses)

• referrals to others services

What are Supervised Injection Services?

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8

• The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care also requires supervised injection services be part of other health services offered at a site

What are Supervised Injection Services?

Research shows that supervised injection services:

• Prevent overdose deaths

• Reduce used needles left in public places

• Connect people who inject drugs with needed services

• Reduce needle sharing and the spread of infection

Why Supervised Injection Services?

12/13/2017

9

?

Questions?

In what ways would supervised injection services be helpful in Waterloo Region?

Question 1

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10

Some people also have questions or concerns about supervised injection services.

What questions or concerns do you have about supervised injection services in Waterloo Region?

Question 2

Do you have any ideas to address questions or concerns about supervised injection services in Waterloo Region?

Question 3

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11

Injection drug use occurs in all areas of Waterloo Region; however some areas or neighbourhoods are more impacted by injection drug use than others.

What areas of Waterloo Region do you think are most impacted by drug use?

Question 4

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care requires that supervised injection services be integrated with other services.

What services or organizations do you think should be involved in operating supervised injection services or be located in the same facility?

Question 5

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What days and hours should a supervised injection site be open?

Question 6

Is there anything else you would like to share about supervised injection services?

Question 7

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13

Thank-you!!!

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Smart Update (Consent Agenda)

For the Meeting of WRCPC on December 15, 2017

Background

The Consent Agenda is published on a bi-monthly basis. Please review this report before meetings.

Please note that any Council member has the right to “pull” an item from the Consent Agenda and add it to the regular agenda for discussion, comment or clarification. Approved consent agendas are published on the Council’s website along with approved minutes. Consent Agendas are selective, not comprehensive. Whenever possible, Consent Agenda items reflect the key approaches of the Smart on Crime 2015-2018 plan designed to accomplish three overarching Council directions.

Youth: Unleashing the Potential of ALL Youth

Neighbourhoods: Building Local Capacity for Change

Smart on Crime: Advancing the Momentum

Expand Reach through Understanding and Engagement:

The 39th Annual Justice Dinner, Relationships First - Restorative Practice - A Call to Action, held on November 16, 2017 was in partnership with Community Justice Initiatives and Grand Valley Institution for Women. The Master of Ceremonies was Mike Farwell; host “The Mike Farwell Show”. The keynote speaker was Ted Wachtel; Founder of the international Institute for Restorative Practice, Pennsylvania and the musical talent was Alysha Brilla, local artist and two-time Juno Award Nominee. There were approximately 264 people in attendance. Each guest was given a painted rock with an inspirational message created by women from Grand Valley Institution for Women. This year’s dinner was a partnership between CJI, GVI and WRCPC.

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“Friends of Crime Prevention”, supported by WRCPC, wrapped up the first seven sessions of “Reframing Crime, Justice and Prevention” on December 7th. Eight participants worked very hard in this condensed course designed to help us challenge our assumptions and beliefs about crime, justice and prevention. The final requirement of the course is a group project where participants will share what they have learned during the course and what they want the community to know. The group project will be presented at a winter ‘porch chat’ style event in late winter. Critical reflection practices formed the theoretical foundation of the course and a substantial evaluation will help to determine the effectiveness of this course methodology. In addition, Carlos Luis Zatarain, a Community Psychology Master student, is engaging with the course framework and course participants for his Masters thesis. This in depth work with Carlos will yield rich insight about the impact of the course and the thesis results will be available in spring/summer 2018.

Please book Wednesday February 28th, 6:30-8:30pm in your calendar. The course participants have designed a Porch Chat style event (indoor, winter edition!) where they will take people through their learning journey and share where they’ve landed as a group. You can expect some poetry, visual art, likely some storytelling, maybe some music and who knows what else – they are a clever and creative bunch!

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Community Engagement staff, together with members of the Breaking the Silence Working Group (part of the Rainbow Community Council, RCC) hosted a community event to highlight issues of safe space for the LGBTQ2+ community in Waterloo Region. “A Place to Call Safe” included a presentation on the OutLook Study and engaged attendees in arts-based methods of collecting stories about where community members feel safe to be themselves (specific spaces) and what it is about these spaces that makes them feel safe (qualities). The collected stories will be shared on the RCC website in early 2018.

Things in the plans:

o The WRCPC is collaboration with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and the Ontario colleagues in public health will provide a platform for exchange on issues of opioids and multi-sectoral collaboration in May, 2018.

o More details to emerge soon but look to February 15, 2018 for upstream prevention events locally with a focus on youth.

The WRCPC staff provided presentations on drug related issues at WR Police Services Board, Conestoga College, UW Renison College, Trinity Anglican Community Forum,

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Community Services Committee, WLU and others. Additional presentations are planned for two upcoming events in Cambridge in December and January. There are more requests for keynotes and presentations on the opioid crisis than WRCPC staff can accommodate.

Base Change in Good Evidence and Innovation

WRCPC’s Advisory Group on Research and Evaluation (AGORE) held a session to assess various potential areas of focus and next steps include developing an action plan for knowledge mobilization.

WRCPC has been working with Memory Tree on a production of short video for general consumption regarding the determinants of crime. The video is scheduled for completion in early 2018 and will be included in the prevention background package for WRCPC sector representatives.

The upstream prevention concepts developed by WRCPC have been shared with WRCPC’s Advisory Group on Research and Evaluation (AGORE) and Friends of Crime Prevention, as part of the course on crime prevention through social development. These discussions helped to further shape this knowledge. The plan is to have the revised prevention concepts and model finalized for an upcoming Council meeting in the near future.

Evaluators of the 2014-2018 Smart on Crime community plan is currently in the process of developing indicators that will be used to assess the impact of WRCPC’s work in the community. Indicators will be finalized by January of 2018, at which point data collection will begin. The plan for data collection will be communicated in February or March of 2018 with the full Council.

WRCPC’s historical analysis project, undertaken in partnership with Conestoga College, is currently in the stage of key informant interviews. The project was interrupted by the college faculty strike but should be resuming shortly. The plan is to have the interviews completed by the end of January of 2018.

The WRCPC Violence Prevention Committee has continued to meet on a monthly basis. The main topic for the November meeting was next steps for the VPC. The questions up for discussion included: What are the objectives of this committee? What do we want to be doing? What can we realistically do? It was suggested that the committee consider focusing on one specific form of violence and/or a specific vulnerable population every year, and that each year the same steps are taken to investigate and understand how to address that topic from a prevention framework. There was general agreement among committee members around this suggestion, and it was collectively decided that the work with Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner

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Violence will be the focus of the committee for the next year. A work plan has since been drafted which will be presented at the WRCPC December meeting.

Analysis of results from the 2017 Waterloo Region Area Survey has been completed and two reports have been generated; one short community report is focused on highlights, and one longer report includes all of the analyses. Both reports have been shared with the CSC and Regional Council. Reports will be available on the members’ corner of the WRCPC website shortly, but in the meantime may be requested directly through Mary Anna at the CPC office.

Lead side by side: Leverage dynamic partnerships The WRCPC is collaborating with colleagues at Public Health Ontario, Toronto Public

Health, Canadian Centre on Substance Use and the Canadian Public Health Association on community-based opioid strategies.

WRCPC and the Canadian Municipal Network Crime Prevention were invited to speak and participate at the Kenora Substance Abuse and Mental Health Task Force AGM. The AGM was held on November 24th. The focus of the conversation was to talk about the importance of upstream prevention, explain what the WRCPC and CMNCP are and how they operate, the important role that municipalities play in crime prevention through social development by providing examples of what that can look like. It was very informative to hear about challenges the Kenora community is facing and all of the work the Task Force is doing to implement their own Community Safety and Well Being Plan.

With colleagues at the Canadian HIV/Aids Legal Network, the Law Foundation of Ontario and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, the WRCPC released materials to expand understanding of Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act. The Act was assented in May and is based on research from the WRCPC. Many thanks are due to MP Ron McKinnon for introducing the Act, and to several WRCPC members who scrutinized the Fact Sheet. Special thanks is due to local resident Christine Pardaric, Dr. Mackenzie and the Ontario Harm Reduction Distribution Program for their efforts in supporting the Act and further, in ensuring Canadians are aware of the Act. Find the fact-sheet and wallet card at WRCPC website

In October the WRCPC staff was invited to share best practices with Windsor Essex County Health Unit as they consult and develop a Municipal Opioid Strategy. The WRCPC continues to provide assistance to other municipalities, including the Mayor’s Task Force on Opioids in Cambridge.

Advocate for Equity and Belonging. Reduce Marginalization and Discrimination.

On December 5th, Region of Waterloo, Community Services Committee meeting, was focused on getting a wholesome understanding of all of the engagement initiatives, programs and available data related to the opioid crisis. The groups that presented were WRIDS, WRPS, Public Health, WWLHIN and WRCPC plus three delegations. The

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WRCPC presentation focused on providing context and recent data on the opioid crisis, summary details of the two adhoc meetings and a full WRCPC council meeting focused on our local opioid crisis. WRCPC presentation closed by providing information about the Good Samaritan Law. The Good Samaritan Fact Sheet and Wallet Cards were handed out to CSC members and those in attendance.

In the News

Media attention continues to be largely focused on the opioid crisis and WRCPC has more requests for comment and providing data on this issue than can be met by current resources. Below are some examples that staff participated in during the months of October and November.

For a full list of media exposure of the WRCPC, please contact staff.

October: 9 CBC interviews across Canada; 4 Windsor-area media outlets; Global National News

New numbers show 65 suspected opioid overdose deaths so far in 2017 Free wallet card helps spread word about Good Samaritan overdose act Ontario sees 68 percent spike in opioid overdose deaths this year No plans to equip Toronto Police with naloxone kits, despite officer’s overdose death New method to identify opioids faster may help in combatting overdose crisis Opioid crisis: Seeking solutions in Waterloo Region Opioid overdoses are sending more people in Canada to the emergency room 2017 on pace to be record year for opioid overdose deaths Region needs more provincial support in opioid crisis, roundtable hears Steep drop in reported hate crimes in Waterloo Region

Community Corner

In this section staff share community training events and other significant information and opportunities that have been provided by members of WRCPC and partners. Please note this will not include fundraising or partisan events.

The Well-being Waterloo Region (WBWR) work continues and WRCPC members and staff have been engaged in various aspects of the work. (1) A community forum on November 23, 2017 aimed at determining priorities for the Wellbeing Waterloo Region (WBWR) initiative. In addition to enhancing connectedness at the system level three priority areas were identified: housing, healthy child development, and belonging/social isolation. (2) As part of the measurement and monitoring working group, WRCPC was involved in reviewing a community profile report compiled by the Canadian Index of Wellbeing. The report serves as a baseline assessment of the state of wellbeing in Waterloo Region across various domains such as community vitality and living standards. The report will be available in early 2018. (3) The measurement and

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monitoring group of WBWR has been discussing a shared measurement system in Waterloo Region. WRCPC helped organize and participated in a forum on data sharing among government and community organizations, which took place on December 8, 2017. WRCPC has been involved in exploration and planning of a community-wide survey that would serve to integrate various surveys conducted by the Region, municipalities/townships and community organizations. The Canadian Index of Wellbeing has submitted a proposal for carrying out the survey. The proposal has been reviewed by the planning group and further follow-up is needed to address issues with survey design, cost and access to data. The survey is scheduled to be implemented before the summer of 2018, with results being available in the last quarter of 2018.

The Ministry of the Attorney General, Criminal Law Division has announced the new Bail Directive. A copy is available in English at - News Ontario. The new directive will be in force on November 14th, 2017. Prosecutors are currently receiving training and we will advise further when the entire Crown Prosecution Manual is released to the public. Prosecutors have significant discretion to conduct cases in a way that ensures justice is done and is responsive to the particular circumstances of a case. Prosecution directives provide mandatory direction, advice and guidance to Prosecutors on the exercise of prosecutorial discretion. The new bail directive places an emphasis on liberty as a guiding principle in bail proceedings and the reinforcement of the “ladder” principle as a basic underpinning of bail. This approach includes a balancing of the rights of the accused and society’s interest in public safety consistent with the provisions of the Criminal Code and related jurisprudence.

Canadian Municipal Network on Crime Prevention News and Updates:

The CMNCP continues to grow both in numbers and exposure. In October Christiane was pleased as the co-chair to attend the WHO’s global milestones event in Ottawa. In the first week of December Christiane participated in a meeting in Guadalajara Mexico representing the Canadian network by recommendation from the UN Habitat 3 and further advancing the partnership between the two cities. The latter let to the formation of a North American Safer Cities network and a declaration to work together in the quest to eradicate root causes of crime and reduce risks for local vulnerabilities. A presentation on both opportunities is planned for a meeting early in the New Year.

The New Story Group of Waterloo Region is pleased to announce the release of the Enhancing Belonging: A Guidebook for Individuals, Organizations, and Communities

WRCPC among other contributed to the material at hand that has wide applicability for diverse populations.

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The Immigration Partnership invites you to be part of the first ever Global Migration Film Festival (GMFF) in Waterloo Region. Hosted in partnership with the United Nations Migration Agency (International Organization for Migration), the GMFF features films and documentaries that capture the promise and challenges of migration for those who leave their homes in search of a better life and the contributions they make to their new communities. Ten films will be screened in Waterloo Region from 5-18 December, and a post-screening discussion will follow. Entrance to all screenings is FREE and everyone is WELCOME. Information about dates, venues and films is available online.

Staff were asked to share Building Safe Communities - Neighbourhood Watch in the Palm of Your Hands. Copies are available through the WRCPC office.

The University of Waterloo’s Social Determinants of Health held an event:

Conversations and Hot Chocolate in front of the City hall in Kitchener. This is a message from Instructor and WRCPC member Kelly Anthony:

“What a lovely afternoon- over 3 hours, my 20 students shared 28 pair of super good socks, 25 pair of mittens, 70 hot cocoas, 80 homemade smile cookies, several hand knit scarves, hundreds of smiles, and had about 60 nice conversations with folks from all walks of life.”

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What’s up in the WRCPC office?

The Governor’s House continues to prove to be a place that sees significant public traffic. Community groups meet here, members of the public look for directions here and above all members of the community who need often immediate supports tend to come to the doors of this building. While it is not part of the role of a backbone office it affords staff many conversations that were not planned, keep the work of prevention grounded and stretch the concept of warm referrals. Above all the presence of members of WRCPC is always appreciated. The concept of a community office thus evolves day by day.

Staff completed a facilitated process about operationalizing complex strategic directions in an ever complex and evolving community context. A report has been completed and will be shared with FC. These efforts bring the organizational development changes to a new level.

On behalf of the WRCPC staff and students I wish all members of Council a peaceful, safe and enjoyable holiday season. Thanks for all that you do to make our community a safe and welcoming place to grow, live, work and play in.

With much appreciation,

Christiane Sadeler,

Executive Director

December 12, 2017

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Region of Waterloo

Crime Prevention Council

To: Chair Geoff Lorentz and Members of the Community Services Committee

Date: December 5, 2017 File Code: C06-70

Subject: Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act

Recommendation:

For information

Summary:

Research conducted by the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council has formed the basis for a new national law that seeks to improve 911 call rates at overdose emergencies. Bill C-224 (Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act) was drafted by MP Ron McKinnon in 2016, passed First Reading in February 2016 and received Royal Assent on May 4, 2017. The Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council together with collaborating partners, primarily the Canadian HIV/Aids Legal Network, have filled a gap by creating materials to support knowledge exchange and operationalization of the Act for citizens, agencies and governments. The materials are posted at overdose prevention resources.

Report:

An opioid overdose is a medical emergency and victims are unable to seek or administer emergency care to them, leaving victims dependent on the actions of bystanders or Good Samaritans. Seconds can mean the difference between life and death and between a lifetime of disability or a successful recovery. The best medical advice always includes calling 911 for emergency assistance.

In September 2008, the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council (WRCPC) released two overdose reports. A First Portrait of Drug-Related Overdoses in Waterloo Region provided the first glimpse of the extent and typology of overdoses across Waterloo region and Saving Lives: Overdose Prevention and Intervention in Select North American Cities illuminated the key characteristics of lifesaving naloxone programs.

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The latter report recommended the establishment of naloxone programs and, anticipating the bootleg fentanyl crisis, a real time monitoring system. Additionally, the research revealed that the number of overdose victims treated at area hospitals exceeded patients delivered by Waterloo Region Emergency Medical Services. The finding suggested there may be barriers to calling 911 at the scene of an overdose emergency where illicit substances have been consumed.

In 2012, the WRCPC undertook research to determine A First Portrait of Drug-Related

Overdoses Barriers to Calling 911 at an (illicit) overdose emergency. The research was the first study in Canada on this issue. The report contains an analysis of the international literature and results of personal surveys with 450 people who used drugs at the time or who were engaged in opioid agonist treatment. The researchers conducted the interviews in Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County and the data revealed several findings, among them:

At the last witnessed overdose, 911 was called 46% of the time. By comparison, 911 calls for cardiac arrest emergencies are above 90%.

83% of those surveyed thought they would ‘probably’ or ‘maybe’ be charged with a criminal offense if 911 was called during an overdose emergency.

The likelihood of calling 911 and waiting with the victim was lowest amongst the

youngest cohort (16-24 years of age).

The primary barrier to calling 911 and waiting with the victim was fear of becoming entangled with the criminal justice system via police presence at the overdose scene.

Following the release of the report, WRCPC struck an ad hoc working group to consider policy options. Comprised of area first responders, community agencies and citizens the working group recommended:

the establishment of overdose prevention programs with naloxone; and the establishment of a national Good Samaritan Law.

In 2016, MP Ron McKinnon introduced Bill C-224 (The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act) based on WRCPC’s research and concern for the surge in overdose fatalities. The purpose of Bill C-224 was to improve 911 call rates by providing limited immunity from possession charges for persons at the scene of an overdose emergency. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act received Royal assent on May 4, 2017.

Private members Bills are not permitted to have supporting resources attached to the Bill. Thus the knowledge dissemination necessary for appropriate application and

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operationalization of the Act was an anticipated gap. The WRCPC together with collaborating partners subsequently undertook a design workshop and with the Canadian HIV/Aids Legal Network, multiple focus groups were held in Waterloo region and Toronto to develop a fact sheet and a wallet card.

Funding was procured from Law Foundation of Ontario to reproduce 50,000 laminated wallet cards and two organizations – the Legal Aid Ontario and the Law Society Referral Service - are providing additional assistance as needed via toll-free phone numbers. The Fact Sheet and wallet cards have been endorsed by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.

The materials are available free of charge while supplies last and have been offered to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care for inclusion into Ontario’s naloxone kits. The Fact Sheet and the wallet card will be made available at the WRCPC website www.overdoseprevention.ca.

Since the WRCPC began releasing overdose reports in 2008, Ontario’s fatal opioid-related overdoses have continued to rise. The contamination of the black market by the bootleg fentanyls, as anticipated in an advisory issued by WRCPC and enforcement partners in 2013 and 2016, is unfolding across Canada. The high toxicity of the bootleg fentanyls and/or unintentional consumption by opioid-naïve citizens increases the need to receive urgent hospital care, regardless of naloxone administration outside of hospital settings thus making this legislation timely.

Ontario’s 16 year trend of record-setting opioid-related overdose fatalities reached a rate of 1 death every 10 hours in 2016, almost double the fatalities on Ontario’s roadways. In Waterloo region, fatal opioid-related overdoses climbed from 23 victims in 2015 to 38 victims in 2016. Waterloo Region Police Services report 58 suspected opioid-related overdoses as of November 14, 2017. The bootleg fentanyls are cited for the escalation of deaths locally and beyond.

Against this backdrop, the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act aims to improve 911 call rates and improve health outcomes. The Fact Sheet and Wallet Card will assist in ensuring that citizens, service providers and government agencies are aware of and able to operationalize this legislation.

The WRCPC’s collaborative efforts to establish and expand naloxone access in Ontario together with the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act becoming law completes two key recommendations contained in A First Portrait of Drug-Related Overdoses in Waterloo Region (2008), The Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy (2011), Oxy to Oxy: Impacts and Recommendations Forum (2012), Between Life and Death: The Barriers to Calling 911 During an Overdose Emergency (2012) and Prescription For Life (2015).

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WRCPC remains grateful for the contributions of citizens and collaborating partners to achieve these initiatives.

Corporate Strategic Plan:

This report relates to strategic objective 4.4 (Promote and support healthy living and prevent disease and injury) in the Healthy, Safe and Inclusive Communities focus area in the 2015-2018 Strategic Plan.

Financial Implications:

Nil

Other Department Consultations/Concurrence:

Nil

Attachments

Fact Sheet and Wallet Card

Prepared By: Michael Parkinson, Community Engagement Coordinator

Approved By: Christiane Sadeler, Executive Director, Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council

Shayne Turner, Chair, Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council

Douglas Bartholomew-Saunders, Commissioner, Community Services

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Region of Waterloo

Crime Prevention Council

To: Chair Geoff Lorentz and Members of the Community Services Committee

Date: December 5, 2017 File Code: C06-60

Subject: Waterloo Region Area Survey

Recommendation:

For information

Summary:

Nil

Report:

The Waterloo Regional Area Survey (WRAS) is an annual survey run out the Research Data Centre at the University of Waterloo. The WRAS was launched in early 2017 and 404 responses were collected using both telephone and online methods. Respondents from all cities and townships within the Region were selected for the survey, allowing for a representative sample.

One section of the WRAS included several questions developed by the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council (WRCPC) research team related to trust, perceptions of community safety and crime, perceptions of the downtown core, frequency of visits to the downtown, and understanding of the phrase “Smart on Crime.”

Analysis of the WRAS Data was completed by research staff at the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council in the summer and fall of 2017. Once this analysis was complete, two reports were presented to the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council: a long-version comprehensive report of all questions included in the analysis, and a short version intended as a community report which includes highlights and key findings.

Waterloo Region Area Survey – Summary of Results:

Fifty-four percent of the respondents were female; 46% male. The age range for

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respondents was 19 to 92; the average age was 58.3. Given that the average age of adults over 19 in Waterloo Region is 47.8 years, statistical adjustments were applied to the survey data in order to provide results that better represent the wider population.

Trust in the Waterloo Region is on the rise. When asked about trust, 76% of respondents chose the option “most people can be trusted.” Results were not consistent across gender – male respondents reported to be more trusting than female – nor were they consistent across city/township, though these differences did not prove statistically significant.

Looking at trends over time, this 76% overall result is a significant increase over results reported in previous years and represents a 16% increase from the 2013 WRAS results. This indicates a potentially positive shift in attitudes in the Waterloo Region over the past 4 years.

Additionally, results reveal that 91% of respondents feel either “very safe” or “reasonably safe” from crime when walking alone in their area after dark. Trends over time show that feelings of safety are steadily going up, despite consistent population growth.

Comparative analysis by city and township indicate some differences in perceptions of safety, particularly between the townships (where 97% of respondents report feeling safe after dark), and the three major cities (where 90% of respondents report feeling safe after dark). Results also show that men feel significantly safer than women (95% for male; 87% for female). These results tend to mirror studies of this nature in other communities.

When asked about feelings of safety in the downtown core at night, overall results for this question show a marked difference in feelings of safety between the downtown cores and respondents’ own neighborhoods: 62 % of respondents reported feeling either “very safe” or “somewhat safe” in their downtown at night (Cambridge-Kitchener-Waterloo only), compared with the 91% of respondents who report feeling safe in their own area at night. Gender differences were also seen in the results for this question: 52% of women report feeling safe in their downtown at night as compared with 79% of men.

The more often people visit the downtown at night, the safer they perceive the downtown to be at night OR the safer people perceive the downtown to be at night, the more often they will visit at night. Either way, there is a direct relationship between frequency of visits to the downtown at night and feelings of safety in the downtown at night. Overall, 62% of survey respondents reported that they feel either “very safe” or “somewhat safe,” and 38% of respondents reported that they feel either “somewhat” or “very” unsafe in their downtown at night.

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For those who perceive the downtown as “very safe” at night, 90% report that they visit the downtown at night at least a few times per year, whereas for those who perceive the downtown as “very unsafe” at night, 51% report that they never go downtown at night.

When asked to elaborate on the specific characteristics that make up a safe downtown, the top responses were: lights/street lights/area being well lit, having people around, police presence, stores being open, car traffic, and having no history or experience with crime.

Respondents were asked “in your own words, what does being ‘smart on crime’ mean?” Open-ended responses provided for this question varied considerably, though the most frequently cited definition for “smart on crime” was being vigilant and/or aware of either surroundings or people, with 49% of the total responses in this category. Beyond this, other responses included: taking safety measures such as locking doors/car/home or traveling in groups; focusing on crime prevention or root causes of crime; avoiding dangerous or criminal areas; being or remaining educated on crime; utilizing a strong police presence; and focusing on community rehabilitation and supports.

Despite the variation in these responses, the ‘Smart on Crime’ message by the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council which comprises a focus on prevention, root causes and education is to some extend reflected in the responses.

Corporate Strategic Plan:

Healthy, Safe and Inclusive Communities, 4.5 Enhance community safety and crime prevention

Financial Implications:

Nil

Other Department Consultations/Concurrence:

Some analysis generated from the Waterloo Region Area Survey was also used in the Central Transit Corridor monitoring report 2017 prepared by Margaret Parkin, Manager, Planning Research and Analytics, Region of Waterloo.

Attachments

1. WRAS Community Report 2017, Docs#2553185 2. WRAS Summary of Results 2017, Docs#2528013

Prepared By: Elin Moorlag Silk, Coordinator, Community Development & Research, Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council

Approved By: Christiane Sadeler, Executive Director, Waterloo Region Crime

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Prevention Council

Shayne Turner, Chair, Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council

Douglas Bartholomew-Saunders, Commissioner, Community Services