Doctor duo recognized for fighting opioid crisis in Timmins area
A pair of physicians in Timmins have been given an award of excellence by the Ontario College of Family Physicians for their work in tackling the area's opioid crisis and helping form a better treatment system for addictions and mental-health issues.
Dr. Louisa Marion-Bellemare and Dr. Julie Samson received their awards earlier this month. They were honoured for achievements like helping form an area drug strategy committee, advocating for detox services at the local hospital and establishing a primary care clinic at a local homeless shelter.
The tag-team doctors said being nominated for the award by their peers was a surprise, though reassuring that they're working in the right direction.
"People recognize that there is an innovative approach happening in a northern community that people can apply to their own communities," Marion-Bellemare said in an interview.
The doctors also launched a virtual addictions clinic for the far north First Nations community of Attawapiskat.
The goal, Samson said, is to reduce overdose deaths, make treatment more accessible and coordinated, and to fill in gaps that have allowed the crisis to continue.
"What we were doing wasn't working -- including what we were doing as physicians -- at our own hospital," she said.
"We needed to change what we were doing ... by listening to patients about what they needed."
In 2020, overdose death rates in the Porcupine district were in the range of 74 deaths per 100,000 people, four times higher than the provincial and national averages that year.
At the start of 2021, there was fear the death rate would quickly exceed that number.
However, the doctors said deaths have decreased substantially across the district; in Timmins, they have been close to zero since April.
The Ontario College of Family Physicians congratulated Samson and Marion-Bellemare on the results of their efforts so far.
"Dr. Marion-Bellemare and Dr. Samson were able to completely change the attitude, approach and support of substance use disorder in Timmins hospitals, shelters, detox and family practices," said Karen Archer.
"Both doctors have also demonstrated that dedication to a single cause within the role of a family physician can lead to systematic change. The OCFP awards committee was impressed with their innovative program that was designed to ensure accessible, appropriate and equitable care for individuals experiencing structural vulnerabilities and living with addiction in Timmins and elsewhere in northern Ontario."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.