Issues related to substances affect every country, province, and region, and the Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland region is no exception. Substance use and related harms affect individuals, families and communities. While the situation is evolving constantly, it is important to provide more information about the use of alcohol and other drugs, as well as the harms associated with substance use, to provide a framework for action.

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Additction and the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research have identified alcohol, opioids, and cannabis as highest contributors to the economic cost associated with substance use in Canada (excluding tobacco). With a growing opioid crisis, increasing rates of alcohol-related health conditions, and cannabis legalization in October 2018, it is necessary to give further attention to these issues and substances.

1 Canadian Substance Use Costs and Harms Scientific Working Group. (2018). Canadian substance use costs and harms (2007–2014). (Prepared by the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.) Ottawa, Ont.: Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. Retrieved from https://www.csuch.ca/en/report/