The OACP Substance Advisory Committee
Presents
2023 Ontario Drug Policy Symposium
Drug policy is complex, multifaceted and in the last thirty years it has become intertwined with criminal justice policy. With funding for health care coming from the provincial level and the response to drug challenges dealt with at the frontlines by law enforcement, health and social services, Ontario requires a coordinated strategic response to current and emerging drug concerns. Sound drug policy requires all partners coming together to learn from each other and identifying collective priorities to advance to the Government of Ontario. This Symposium brings together diverse voices from those involved in local drug response strategies, enforcement, the criminal justice system, diversion programs, harm reduction, alternative approaches, treatment and prevention efforts. This is the perfect event for police, health practitioners, social service providers, non-profit organizations and policy makers to come together and learn about drug response efforts underway across the province. Be part of shaping the future of Ontario drug policy.
AGENDA
Wednesday, May 31st, 2023
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Chief Nishan Duraiappah, Peel Regional Police & OACP President
Keynote Speaker: The Honourable Michael Tibollo
Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
| About The Honourable Michael Tibollo |
|
Ontario – Associate Minister of Mental Health & Addictions
The Honorable Michael A. Tibollo For over 30 years, Minister Tibollo has been a strong advocate for the people of Vaughan-Woodbridge. Among his many accomplishments, Minister Tibollo is a distinguished lawyer with over 30 years of experience. Prior to taking office in 2018, Minister Tibollo volunteered as a certified addictions counsellor, and advocated for Caritas - a residential therapeutic community seeking to provide high-quality care for those living with mental health and addictions challenges. Minister Tibollo proudly serves the people of Ontario in his role as the province’s first Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and is looking forward to creating a connected system of care with comprehensive wraparound services, so that every Ontarian can be fully supported in their journey towards mental wellness. Minister Tibollo previously served as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. An avid sports fan, Minister Tibollo holds a fifth-degree black belt in the martial art of Taekwondo. He has applied his experience while volunteering with the META Centre - an organization that assists physically and developmentally challenged adults in living better, more enriched lives. Always eager to pursue his passion for learning, Minister Tibollo is currently pursuing his PhD in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Addictions and Concurrent Disorders, through the University of Southern California. Minister Tibollo is also fluent in five languages, including English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. Minister Tibollo has received numerous awards for his community involvement, including: 2018: Masters Certification from the World Taekwondo Federation, Kukkiwon - Seoul, South Korea. 2017: CHIN Radio/TV International, CHIN Radio/TV International Salutes Canada 150 with ethno-cultural honourees who have enriched and helped build a strong and vibrant Canadian society. 2015: Order of the Republic of Italy, Knight. 2013: National Congress of Italian Canadians - Toronto District, Order of Merit Award. 2012: Queen’s Jubilee. 2009: Government of the Province of Foggia, Italy, Humanitarian Award. 2005: Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association, Professional Excellence Award. 1997: Government of Canada 125 Medal, Recipient. |
Organized Crime & Enforcement in an Opioid Crisis
Reducing the supply of illicit drugs remains an enforcement priority. Police services across the province are dealing with organized crime, criminal networks and import and export operations. Once these harmful illicit substances make its way to our streets, police officers must respond, deal with the criminal consequences, investigate overdose occurrences and support victims and families.
Det. Supt. Karen Gonneau, Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, Ontario Provincial Police
A/Supt. Pete Liptrott, Manager Crime Prevention & Investigations, Ontario Provincial Police
Det. Cst. Jordan Meffe, Opioid Education and Enforcement Unit, Special Investigative Services, Niagara Regional Police Service
Det. Cst. Jeremy Diffranco, Opioid Education and Enforcement Unit, Special Investigative Services, Niagara Regional Police Service
Criminal Justice Response to Drug Offences
The Criminal Justice system has and continues to modernize and determine how best to deal with individuals that come into conflict with the law. Drug Treatment Courts has been a strategic and innovative approach for those in conflict with the law and dealing with substance use issues. For individuals to succeed in Drug Treatment Courts, community resources need to be available and working together for common goals. As part of this collective criminal justice approach, prosecutorial directives now consider the health and public safety concerns in the assessment of the public interest in initiation, continuation and disposition of all charges, including simple drug possession.
Justice Kofi N. Barnes, Judge, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Brampton
Deputy Chief Federal Prosecutor Carolyn Hayes, Public Prosecution Service of Canada
Jacqueline Matthews B.A. Crim./SSW, Case Manager, Ottawa Drug Treatment Court, Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services Centre
Decriminalization and Policing Healthy Outcomes for Substance Users
The suggestion in drug harm reduction discussions is that supporting the decriminalization of “simple possession” for illegal substances is an effective approach to mitigate the harms that come through the criminal justice system. While those under the enforcement pillar understand and support that decriminalization could be effective with appropriate programing such as diversion, referral, etc. they also caution experts that a commensurate level of investment into health and social supports is critical to the success of decriminalization. There is also a need to be aware of the unintended consequences of policies and practices that may end up benefiting organized crime groups.
Insp. Phil Heard, Organized Crime Section, Vancouver Police Department
A/Supt. Tyrone Hilton, Organized Crime Enforcement, Drug Squad, Toronto Police Service
Dr. Leslie Buckley MD MPH FRCPC, Chief of Addictions Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Responding to Change
Communities across Ontario have been involved in innovative approaches to the drug crisis. These programs demonstrate how crucial broad collaboration is in forging sound and effective strategies. This collaboration has different components: provincial, and local governments pooling their resources; education, health, and police officials sharing ideas and data; and government, business, and non-profit sectors building coalitions, all in service of the common goal of assisting those in our communities that experience substance abuse.
Emily Jones, Community Development and Engagement Coordinator, Peterborough Police Service
Dr. Thomas Piggott MD PhD CCFP FRCPC, Medical Officer of Health & Chief Executive Officer, Peterborough Public Health
Sgt. Pete Wiesner, Supervisor, Crisis Response Branch, Hamilton Police Service
Sandra Kurdziel, Coordinator, Social Navigator Program
Getting Back to Basics: Prevention & Awareness
Prevention and awareness programs are at the heart of addressing substance use before it begins and ensuring safety. There are many opportunities to break down silos and find common ground with the sole goal of protecting communities, vulnerable people, and especially youth.
Karen McDonald, Lead Toronto's Drug Checking Service Research Program Manager, St. Michael's Hospital Drug Checking
Caroline Folkman, Manager, Toward Common Ground
Toby Ma, Education and Awareness Coordinator, YMCA
Dua Fatima, Youth Outreach Specialist, YMCA
Thursday, June 1st, 2023
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Dirk Huyer, Chief Coroner of Ontario
The overdoses and opioid crisis in Ontario
Addressing Root Causes: Research, Overview and Pragmatic Solutions
When left untreated, musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is a common but often overlooked catalyst that sets some people on a spiral to opioid/other substance addiction. The panel will describe the epidemiology of opioid use and how the escalating interdependencies between physical pain, pharmacological interventions and mental health issues exacerbate it. They’ll outline a proven, evidence-based model for addressing this root cause and related opioid dependencies, with collaborative, multidisciplinary MSK care. Panelists will also cite current barriers, as well as system gaps for people looking for help to reduce their opioid dependency for MSK pain. They’ll propose steps to overcome them with a pathway that offers better outcomes through collaborative care for these individuals.
Dr. Jason Busse, DC, PhD, Professor, Department of Anesthesia and Health, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University | Director, National Pain Centre | Associate Director, Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research
Dr. Kathleen Doukas, MD, CCFP, MSc CH, Family Physician, St. Michael's Hospital Academic Family Health Team
Dr. Deborah Kopansky-Giles, DC, FCCS(C), FICC (Hon.), MSc, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto | Chair, St. Michael's Hospital Academic Family Health Team | Professor, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC)
Reducing the Harms of Substance Use
Substance use harms reach far beyond the individual. Society as a collective must find a way to address the overwhelming drug crisis with compassion and kindness. There are a myriad of circumstances contributing to the situation occurring in our communities, factors such as untreated and undiagnosed mental health issues, domestic violence, sexual abuse and homelessness are only a few of these. This panel brings together stakeholders from different health perspectives to share their knowledge and stimulate conversation towards change.
Mia Brown, RN BScN, Program Manager Substance Use and Injury Prevention Program, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
Bernadette deGonzague, MSc. Sr. Mental Health and Addictions Policy Analyst, Chiefs of Ontario
Joanne Simons, CEO, Casey House
Amanda Neilson, Manager of Clinical Practice, Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services
Treatment and a Continuum of Care (Virtual)
Dr. Nathaniel Day MD, Medical Director Addiction, Provincial Addiction and Mental Health and Corrections Health Services, Alberta Health Services
Dr. Scott MacDonald, MD, Providence Crosstown Clinic
Eugenia Oviedo-Joekes, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair, Professor PhD, University of British Columbia
The Future: Policing Priorities Townhall Takeaways
Michael Parkinson, Drug Strategy Specialist, Drug Strategy Network of Ontario
Supt. J.G. (Jon) Dumond, Ontario Provincial Police
Where Do We Go from Here?
Registration
Registration Fee: $250 + HST
*Registration Fee includes Breakfast, AM/PM Breaks, and Lunch on both days
Accommodation
Book your accommodation at a special group rate at Hilton Garden Inn
* Walking distance to Pearson Convention Centre