PREPARED BY: Substance Use Prevention And Harm Reduction Department
DATE: 2025-06-26
SUBJECT: 2025 Substance Department - Board of Health Information Report
BACKGROUND
Substance-use related harms remain a significant concern in Windsor-Essex County. In 2022, emergency visit rates for opioids (103.2/100,000), methamphetamines (13.5/100,000), and alcohol (248.6/100,000), in the region all exceeded provincial rates (WECHU, 2024). In 2023, opioid-related deaths reached a record high of 127 – the highest number reported since 2013 (WECHU,2024). These troubling trends highlight the urgent need for coordinated timely and community-driven solutions aimed at reducing substance-related harms.
Given the evolving nature of the local public health landscape – and in alignment with the upcoming iteration of Ontario Public Health Standards (OPHS), set to be released in 2026 – the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit established a dedicated Substance Use and Harm Reduction department as part of its organizational restructuring, effective January 2025.
Previously, housed within the Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention program, substance use, and harm reduction efforts will now benefit from a more focused and comprehensive approach. This shift allows the WECHU to better address substance-use related harms, including primordial prevention through initiatives that engage families and youth. Moreover, this new program structure ensures that resources, time and efforts are proportionately aligned with the specific needs of Windsor-Essex County.
ONGOING INITIATIVES
The Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction Department is actively engaged in several ongoing initiatives aimed at addressing substance use and promoting community well-being. One of the key initiatives is the Windsor-Essex Community Opioid & Substance Strategy (WECOSS), which brings together 48 community organizations working collaboratively through four Working Groups and a Leadership Committee. The department also oversees the Ontario Naloxone Program (ONP), which currently includes 30 active ONP partners distributing naloxone to help prevent opioid overdoses. Additionally, the Drug Test Strip Distribution (DTS) Program operates with eight active distribution partners to provide tools for safer substance use. The Opioid and Substance Use Notification System (OSUNS) is another important initiative, designed to enhance communication and response to substance-related issues including monthly Information Bulletins about new drug alerts that are issued across Ontario, and public alerts when there is an elevated number of opioid overdoses identified . To support access to care, the department maintains WEC Connect, an inventory featuring over 120 local mental health and addiction services. Furthermore, the department enforces the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, conducting over 2,000 inspections annually to ensure compliance and protect public health.
NEW INITIATIVES
In addition to established initiatives, new initiatives have been developed to enhance primordial prevention, strengthen community engagement, and improve access to harm reduction services for those most in need in Windsor-Essex County.
Enhancing Access to Opioid Agonist Therapies (OAT): The aim of this project is to provide frontline service providers with training and resources on OAT to better enable them to identify and support individuals in their care who may benefit from this service. To inform future training opportunities, the WECHU will conduct a community needs assessment of frontline service providers who work with people who use opioids on the education needs that exist as it relates to OAT and the kinds of training that would support providers in engaging their clients/patients about this service.
Peer Advisory Committee: To play a key role in guiding program planning and development within the Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction department. Areas of focus include the implementation of advanced technologies for drug-checking services, an anti-stigma campaign, and identifying opportunities to enhance harm reduction service delivery across Windsor-Essex. Recruitment for the committee is underway, with the first meeting anticipated in summer 2025.
Strengthening Community Safety and Well-Being: Continued collaboration with the Ontario Provincial Police to ensure neighbourhood safety plans are integrated within the county and well understood by community housing residents. This includes developing and distributing safety plans in Leamington and sharing area-specific plans at community events.
Drug Checking Services: In partnership with Western University, the WECHU plans to implement an innovative drug checking device allowing individuals to test their substances in real time for unknown or harmful additives to support informed decision making.
Anti-Stigma Program: The WECHU will lead an anti-stigma initiative that will help to shift public perception and raise awareness about harm reduction and substance use, people who use substances and related topics. The initiative will include educational workshops, a social media campaign, and the development and support of implementation of an anti-stigma policy for external partners to foster inclusive, trauma informed, supportive environments.
To date, a community assessment has been conducted to explore local attitudes and perceptions related to harm reduction and substance use, as well as barriers to providing optimal care for individuals with lived and living experience in various community settings. The feedback gathered will inform the development of the anti-stigma policy and guide the creation of accompanying educational training workshops to support implementation at the organizational level.
Youth and Family Engagement and Outreach for Substance Use Prevention: In alignment with the new OPHS, primordial substance use prevention efforts have focused on reducing youth substance use through a multifaceted approach. Initiatives have included educational workshops for both parents and youth, with outreach delivered through various platforms and events. These included presentations at youth symposiums across the city and county, French and English webinars for Parents Partners in Education (in collaboration with the Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence school board), the Lassaline/Reginald Health Fair, the Community Block Party Health Fair at Sandwich Teen Action Group, and two Community Housing Corporation events.
These sessions aimed to support family discussions on vaping, foster safe home environments that build resilience and healthy coping strategies, and increase awareness of where to seek help. They also provided general education about the risks and harms of vaping, strategies for quitting, and guidance on accessing social and health services. Resources were shared to bridge knowledge gaps and empower youth to make informed, healthy lifestyle choices. In addition to these workshops, efforts include school curriculum planning support and targeted social media messaging for parents and caregivers.
Community Outreach and Wellness Education: So far in 2025, the Substance Department has participated in nine community events, including the 140 Bridge Health Fair, the March Break Care Fair, the Community Housing Corporation Seniors Wellness Event, and various Youth and Family Events. These events targeted high priority populations and provided opportunities to educate the public on overdose prevention and treatment resources, improve access to harm reduction supplies, share information on neighborhood safety plans, and address substance use-related stigma. Key findings from these events includes 86% of education session participants (n=67) reporting improved awareness of prevention, harm reduction, and treatment services for substance use, with 45 naloxone kits and 274 drug test strips distributed in conjunction with training.
FUTURE DIRECTION
The WECHU remains committed to lasting change through advocacy, community engagement, and collaboration. The Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction Department is launching initiatives to prevent early substance use, reduce harms, and align health unit programs. A key component of this work is a collaborative approach that brings together interdepartmental working groups to improve outcomes. These departments include Comprehensive Health Promotion, Infectious Disease Prevention, Oral Health, Environmental Health and Healthy Babies Healthy Children. By working together across departments, the WECHU ensures a more integrated and effective response to substance use and i