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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, February 5, 2015 | 36 Health Halton Equitable Drug Strategy (HEDS) recently announced it was the recipient of an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant. Through the two-year, $149,800 grant, HEDS hired a full-time manager to help build a "made-in-Halton drug strategy." The strategy is a collaborative plan to improve the health, safety and well-being of the region's residents by "working together to reduce the harms associated with substance abuse," according to HEDS. "This Ontario Trillium Grant is wonderful news for our community," said Oakville MPP and Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn. "Having chaired the select committee on mental health and addictions, I know how important it is to facilitate a comprehensive plan to help those who desperately need the assistance. "After seeing the hard work the Halton Equitable Drug Strategy committee has accomplished in such a short time, I definitely look forward to continuing to work alongside... the entire committee." Meeting since early 2013, the HEDS steering committee includes representatives from: Halton Region; Halton Alcohol, Drug "Connected to your Community" HEDS gets $149K OTF grant to help build `made-in Halton drug strategy' This Ontario Trillium Grant is wonderful news for our community. Having chaired the select committee on mental health and addictions, I know how important it is to facilitate a comprehensive plan to help those who desperately need the assistance. After seeing the hard work the Halton Equitable Drug Strategy committee has accomplished in such a short time, I definitely look forward to continuing to work alongside... the entire committee. Kevin Flynn and Gambling Assessment, Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT); Mississauga Halton Local Health Integration Network; Halton Regional Police Service; Peer Outreach Support Services and Education (POSSE); Canadian Mental Health Association; and the Halton Catholic and public school boards. "The addition of a dedicated manager will accelerate our focus of raising awareness to the harms from substance use in our community," said Bill Robinson, a local father who lost his son to an opiate overdose and founding member of the drug strategy steerOakville MPP and Ontario Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn ing committee. "Hopefully, we can attract more parents, family and friends with... experience related to substance use/abuse to get involved." Halton ADAPT is acting as the host agency for OTF grant and the manager will be an employee of the organization. "We are happy to manage the financial side of this project and to offer staff time to assist," said Ian Stewart, CEO of Halton ADAPT. "ADAPT strongly supports a local drug strategy to prevent, reduce and eliminate the stigma and harms associated with substance use. It is important that this strategy is community informed and owned." The manager's responsibilities over the next two years will be: assessing needs in the community; connecting with professionals, front-line workers, current and past substance users and family members; and reaching across all ages, stages and sectors. There will be a strategy document produced outlining the results of the manager's findings, as well as recommendations on how to proceed to ensure "a safer, healthier, well-informed Halton." Community professionals and people interested in getting involved with the Halton Equitable Drug Strategy, joining one of the working groups, participating in focus groups, sharing their thoughts and experiences, or looking for more information, can contact Angus Coll-Smith, manager of the Halton Equitable Drug Strategy, at 905691-5326 or visit www.haltondrugstrategy. ca. A document titled Counting, Caring, Growing- Laying the Foundation for a Halton Drug Strategy, on HEDS' website provides background on the organization. I feel it in my feet! Fortunately, the hearing instruments of today bear no resemblance to those produced even 5 years ago. Research to improve the quality and naturalness of sound has resulted in digital instruments that perform up to patient expectations. If you haven't listened to a hearing aid in the last 3 years, come in for a TEST DRIVE* and prepare to be amazed! 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