SUBMITTED BY:
Bread and Roses Co-operative Homes Inc.

CONTACT:
Scott Stager Piatkowski
Co-ordinator
Bread and Roses Co-operative Homes
307 Queen Street South, Office
Kitchener, ON N2G 4V3

Tel: (519) 742-4886

Email: info@breadandrosescoop.org

This resolution is for the meeting of:
✓ all CHF Canada members
Ontario Members

WE RESOLVE:

1. THAT CHF Canada members be encouraged to develop awareness about the impacts of the opioid crisis and consider locally appropriate response strategies;
2. THAT member housing co-operatives be encouraged to consider access to local resources, training and information to support the development of locally appropriate response strategies;
3. AND THAT CHF Canada explore opportunities to educate members on this issue, and to connect members with locally available resources.

OUR REASONS FOR THIS RESOLUTION ARE:

1. Canada is facing an escalating opioid crisis. Recent figures indicate that at least 2,816 Canadians died from opioid-related causes in 2016, and according to Canada’s chief public health officer, that number will most likely surpass 3,000 in 2017. While western provinces have been hardest hit, opioid-related deaths are on the rise in eastern provinces too.
2. While our principal reason for existing as a movement is the provision of co-operative housing to our members, we are not immune from societal pressures. If we have not yet been impacted by the opioid crisis in our own co-op, it’s only because of luck. Opioid use can affect all kinds of communities and individuals, regardless of income, background or circumstance.
3. Given the prevalence of the Opioid Crisis, co-ops should consider how they will deal with opioid use, including possible opioid poisonings or even deaths, whether affecting members, their guests or those using the property without permission. Co-ops should be proactive in terms of equipping staff and members with information and the tools to respond.
4. Co-ops can access local resources to inform an appropriate response strategy. These local resources and strategies might include:
   1. access to, and administration of Naloxone, where allowed;
   2. training for staff and interested volunteers in the use of Naloxone;
   3. information to members about opioid use and its impact on the community;
   4. the provision of Sharps Containers and Sharps disposal training;
   5. information on how to refer opioid users, and those affected by opioid use, to available community resources.

5. Such efforts would aim to preserve the life, safety and personal dignity of co-op members, other residents, staff and visitors; would include protocols that allow the co-op to respond appropriately to incidents of opioid use on the property; and would promote collaboration with others in the community to promote these objectives.

WE THINK THAT THIS WILL COST:

Funding for education activities has been included in the 2018 operating budgets.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS  ( X ) SUPPORT   (  ) NON‑SUPPORT    (  ) NEUTRAL

BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMENTS:

We believe that individuals and communities affected by addictions deserve compassion, understanding and support. We believe this resolution advances co-operative principles 5 and 7, namely, Education, Training and Information and Concern for Community.

The Board supports this resolution for its ability to raise awareness about an important Canadian health issue that affects people from all walks of life.

We encourage members to explore local partnerships and resources needed to develop awareness and resources among members to address addictions in our co-op communities.

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction has a resource centre on opioids at www.ccdus.ca.