There is no denying that the opioid crisis has had an effect on our community. Lethbridge has not been immune to the epidemic which is sweeping across North America, with fentanyl-related deaths on the rise each year.
There have been several initiatives put forth locally, and provincially, to try to reduce the number of lives lost and people affected.
In 2016, an Executive Leaders Coalition on Opioid Use was formed in Lethbridge. It includes 16 organizations such as police, Fire/EMS, health services and government that coordinate services and collaborate on a strategy to address the growing issue of opioid abuse in our city. Part of that strategy involved advocating to the government for approval and funding to build a Supervised Consumption Site, which opened earlier this year.
There has been much conversation surrounding the drug use in our city and the corresponding effect it has had on local businesses. As the
Voice of Business
, the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce would like to hear from local business owners and employees about the impact the opioid crisis has had on them.
We are holding a
roundtable discussion
on Tuesday, June 26th from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Lethbridge Public Library - Theatre Gallery.
The intent is to gather specific feedback on a variety of issues, including how the crisis has or has not had an effect on your business, how frequently there has been evidence of drug use near your business, what you do when you find evidence, and if you reached out for help, how was the response?
We also want to know what accommodations you've made as a business as a result, whether it be additional training or safety measures, and your recommendations for solutions to the issues.
This session is intended to gather feedback from the business community and as such it is open to business people only. We want to hear all feedback, whether positive or negative.
The roundtable discussion is closed to members of the media, however media inquiries are welcome at
[email protected]
or 403 327 1586.
