Simcoe Muskoka Opioid Strategy

The Simcoe Muskoka Opioid Strategy (SMOS) is a large partnership of agencies, organizations and individuals that is working together to address opioid related harms in our communities.

NEW:

The final report, Simcoe Muskoka Opioid Strategy (SMOS) A Report on Actions (2018-2021) is available. This report reviews the goals and actions completed as part of the three-year action plan.  Originally the action plan was developed with all activities wrapping up in 2020, however in March of that year a global pandemic was declared. It was soon recognized that the pandemic greatly impacted people who use drugs locally, provincially and nationally. Due to this, SMOS activities continued into 2021.

Even though all activities from the SMOS Action Plan were completed, the rate of opioid-related deaths has not gone down. The initial large spike in deaths that occurred in 2017, both in Simcoe Muskoka and provincially, stabilized in Simcoe Muskoka from 2017 to 2019; however, it increased significantly again in 2020 along with the COVID-19 pandemic, both in Simcoe Muskoka and the province. With the great need that exists, there is still much progress to be made on many of the SMOS goals and activities, and on new priority areas that have emerged since the action plan was created.

What is next?

SMOS Steering Committee members have developed priorities for 2022 to continue the work while a refreshed drug strategy is developed.

Priorities being considered in a refreshed drug strategy include:

• Exploring broadening the scope of the strategy to include all illicit substances.

• Exploring starting safer opioid supply programs.

• Increasing access to Opioid Agonist Treatment in our communities.

• Ongoing advocacy to decriminalize personal use and possession of illicit substances.

• Enhance health and social services to reduce the stigma and other harms of criminalization.

• Continuing to pursue evidence-based initiatives for substance use prevention and mental health promotion throughout the life span.

• Continuing to support the Barrie Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) site application.
  

A great deal has been achieved and learned while the SMOS Action Plan (2018-2020) was implemented. An equal amount of attention and priority will be needed over the coming years to address the continuing opioid crisis. The SMOS Steering Committee is extremely grateful to all individuals and organizations who have made contributions to help prevent and address the harms related to substance use in our communities.

For previous reports and status updates on SMOS actions visit PreventOD.ca