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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, August 28, 2015 | 4 RTR hopes event will reduce stigma associated with people in addiction recovery continued from p.3 pansion of Naloxone access. "It would make sense for people who may be potential witnesses to opioid overdoses to acquire Naloxone; however, Naloxone programs typically only provide Naloxone to opioid users and former opioid users at risk of relapse," said Meghani in an email. "Users can make the Naloxone available to a buddy or significant other who is looking out for them as one might do with epinephrine." She said Naloxone is a safe drug and will have no effect on a person who has not taken opioids. Meghani said it will not get a person high and will not cause addiction or dependence. She said the Halton Region Health Department is currently examining Naloxone Distribution Programs for suitability of use in Halton and plans to complete the review this fall. RTR would also like to see an understanding reached with Halton police where if an individual calls 911 because someone they are with is overdosing that individual does not face legal consequences. Tracey Stark, an ADAPT/Transitional Aged Youth Outreach Addictions Counsellor, who works with RTR, called this the Good Samaritan understanding. She noted individuals who may face probation violations or drug possession charges may be less likely to report someone experiencing an overdose. A Good Samaritan understanding would save lives, she said. Murray said the first priority of officers responding to an overdose is to save life. He said officers have discretion when it comes to any kind of follow-up investigation as to whether they will lay charges against anyone else who is present. "Whether that discretion will be used or not I can't say because every situation is different." RTR also hopes the event will reduce stigma associated with people in addiction recovery. Mikaela, 22, an RTR member and chair of the Aug. 31 event, emphasized that just because someone has made some bad decision does not mean they are a bad person. "People need to realize that, because if we just keep bashing on people who are sick mentally and physically because of these drugs, they are not going to feel comfortable enough to look for help," said Mikaela. "They are just going to close themselves off and who knows what could happen after that." Those who make up RTR became members after being referred to ADAPT's Transitional-Aged Youth Program. They say its youth-designed format makes it different from other recovery groups and they say it offers a safe, supportive environment. In addition to group counselling sessions, RTR has a heavy focus on outdoor excursions and community activities, such as creating a community garden. "Just having been here for a few months, I have seen a huge improvement in myself. I do a lot more, in terms of going out and participating in events, like canoe trips or beach days or a scavenger hunt, or whatever it may be," said Michelle. "It really opens doors to me and a lot of other people to things I wouldn't think of doing. It's good to do these things with people in a group, who all are sober and are your actual friends. They are not using you... It's really empowering. I can go to a group session from 4-6 p.m. or I can see Tracey once a week, and when I leave, I feel way better about myself and I feel confident and have belief in myself and what I can do." Group calls for better drug education The group members said they would like to see improvements in drug education in local elementary schools. RTR members emphasized the importance of educating early. Currently, a program called BRAVO (Building Respect, Attitudes and Values with Others) sees Halton police Elementary School Liaison Officers speak with children in elementary schools (specifically Grade 6 students) about decision-making, peer relationships and substance abuse as well as bullying, cyber bullying, Internet safety, social media and youth and the law. Mikaela, who became addicted to opiates at 16, said students hearing real stories from people closer to their own age could be very effective. "When I did my drug of choice for the first time I had no idea I was going to be addicted to it for years. I was just doing it with my boyfriend, it was like a fun thing, and then two years later all my paychecks were going to it. It's a slippery slope and it gets you really quickly." Murray said Halton police are not currently looking at the drug education approach Mikaela discussed. He voiced concerns about having someone speak to elementary school children about their past struggles with substance abuse stating such an approach may be better for secondary school youth or post secondary school. "That really depends on the parents and the school board and it would really depend on the person who would be talking and the subject area they would be going into," said Murray, who emphasized this was his own opinion. "You may run the risk of exposing the children to too much information. Just because a person has life experience doesn't mean they are a councillor or they understand what the best information is to get out there. "There is definitely a positive in showing the children the real life dangers, but I think that can be done through academics." 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