Keira Stirling and Shane Van Der Gulik share their stories of opioid addiction and their struggles to recover at a Windsor, Ont., facility.
Keira Stirling, left, and Shane Van Der Gulik are staying at the Brentwood Recovery Home in Windsor. Both are recovering from opioid addictions.The 37-year-old, who began drinking at age 14, said she was nearly stabbed to death by her ex-partner seven years ago — resulting in her becoming hooked on pain medication and other substances.Stirling lost custody of her daughter and says she hasn't seen her for six years.
Last year, 105 people in Windsor-Essex died from opioid overdoses, according to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. "I went through hell for probably seven to eight years of trying to get clean," Van Der Gulik, now 40, recalls. Brentwood's executive director believes a lack of affordable housing and a vulnerable mental health system are major factors behind the increases.The rising number of hospital and emergency room visits also put pressure on hospital staff who are already overstretched, according to Kristen Scott, director of emergency services at WRH.
Eric Nadalin, director of public health programs for the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, said there are a variety of reasons why someone might experience addiction, ranging from childhood experiences to opioids prescribed in young adulthood for pain to mental health. "It's going to take not only levels of government, not only municipalities, not only public health agencies, not only service providers or enforcement agencies, it's going to take everybody working together to move that needle," Nadalin said.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Housing and finance key issues as local leaders prepare to meet Ontario ministersFor a few days, the decision-makers at council tables around Ontario along with both opposition and government figures from Queen's Park will take part in hundreds of meetings.
Read more »
ERs in rural Northern Ontario are on the brink of collapse, doctors warnDoctors with the Ontario College of Family Physicians say remote northern emergency rooms are on the brink of closing this fall. They say there are mounting pressures on rural family doctors and are calling on the province to provide relief.
Read more »
Connor McDavid spotted playing beer league hockey in OntarioIn most cases, seeing Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid skating at a hockey rink would not look out of place. Given that it's, well, his job an...
Read more »
People call out Sobeys for ridiculous prices after another expensive find at Ontario storePeople in and around Toronto are finding it overwhelmingly difficult to stay in a decent mood after a visit to any given grocery store lately, as f...
Read more »
TVO employees walk off the job after negotiations stallDozens of workers at Ontario's public broadcaster walked off the job Monday morning.
Read more »