Having their voice heard: Helping the City’s substance users get to the polls on Ontario Election Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Having their voice heard: Helping the City’s substance users get to the polls on Ontario Election Day
OTTAWA – June 1, 2018 – Ottawa Inner City Health and Shepherds of Good Hope are taking action to help clients of the Supervised Injection Site (SIS) trailer to get to the polls on Election Day.
Voting is a fundamental right enjoyed by all citizens in Canada. Encouraging people who use substances to participate in the democratic process is significant in helping to encourage a true democratic process, as provincial politicians make major decisions that influence the everyday lives of drug users and non-users, alike.
This initiative is an important step in ensuring the voices of substances users are heard and nothing is decided, as many of the clients say, “about us without us”. The marginalization of people who use drugs has been one of the key factors in the severity of the opioid crisis. Marginalization leads to a significant social stigma, and people who use drugs are often afraid to identify for fear of being judged. Voting is a way to reduce this marginalization.
Engaging in civic activities such as voting also leads to positive health outcomes. Simply put, exercising democratic rights is empowering. Supervised Injection Sites have emerged as an issue in this election. It is important for politicians to know that people who use drugs are also citizens who are concerned about our community.
This initiative is spearheaded by two Ottawa Inner City Health peer workers in the SIS, Matty Gaudet and Leah Bell. Mr. Gaudet and Ms. Bell will be helping clients navigate voter registration, assisting in obtaining official vouchers for the clients who do not have government issued identification, and will be accompanying people on voting day to the polls. They will also be providing transportation, if necessary.
Quick Facts:
The Supervised Injection Site (SIS) is a joint venture of Ottawa Inner City Health and Shepherds of Good Hope.
The SIS trailer opened in November 2017 and is open 24/7. It provides 100-150 people every day with a safe and supervised place to use substances. This harm reduction model has saved lives and significantly lowered the overdose rate in the area. Before the trailer opened, there were 11 overdoes needing reversal every 24 hours. Since the trailer opened, there have only been one or two overdoses needing reversal per month.
About Shepherds of Good Hope:
Shepherds of Good Hope is one of the largest not-for-profit organizations dedicated to meeting needs of the homeless and vulnerably-housed in the city of Ottawa. We offer around the clock services to all genders in eight facilities from downtown to Kanata. Many of the people who access our programs and services suffer from mental health challenges, trauma and addiction issues.
About Ottawa Inner City Health Inc.
Ottawa Inner City Health Inc. (OICH) aims to improve the health and access to health care for people who are chronically homeless. Our main function is to coordinate and integrate health care services so that homeless individuals can receive the same quality of health care as other Canadians. Health issues while homeless are often complicated by lack of housing, family support and care. In response OICH has special health care units which are located within local homeless shelters creating a safe environment where health care can be provided.
Media Contacts:
Anne Marie Hopkins
Supervisor Peer Outreach Services, Ottawa Inner City Health
613-617-2885. amhopkins@ottawainnercityhealth.ca
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