BARRHEAD-The coronavirus has changed everyone's lives often in totally unexpected ways.
One of the ways that Barrhead's Ripple Connection Support Centre (RCSC) expected that others may not have, is an increase in addiction and overdose rates of users of illicit drugs.
That is what RCSC assistant director Drey David said they are hearing from some of the people that have walked through their doors in recent weeks.
"I don't have any hard numbers or statistics from the RCMP but that is what some people have been telling us who come and visit," he said, adding they have heard similar stories from those who work in the addiction health field. "It is not necessarily a large increase, but it is happening and it is something people, should be aware of."
The not-for-profit organization, which opened in 2010, provides services for people who directly suffer from mental illness as well as their families and caregivers.
On a normal pre-COVID day, the centre serves between 20 and 30 clients daily. In the initial months of COVID, due to public health restrictions as well as for the safety of staff and clients, the centre closed its doors to the public providing services remotely or by appointment only.
However, since the easing of restrictions and the province officially entered into Stage 2 of its economic recovery plan, the centre has opened its doors, at least partially.
"About 10 to 15 people a week come see us in-person," David said.
Part of the issue he said is quite often drugs are"cut" with other substances to make them go further, noting more often than not these substances are harmful, poisonous or designed to get them addicted to harder drugs.
David added that these incidents seem to be on the rise. Although again, he did not have any hard numbers or proof beyond anecdotal evidence in the form of what clients have told him.
"But it makes sense," he said. "With the [U.S./Canadian border] being closed to all but essential traffic there are fewer smuggling opportunities and they have to make their drugs go further. That is why people need to consider where they are getting their drugs from," he said.
One of the drugs that is being used to lace other drugs such as marijuana are opioids, such as Fentanyl.
David was also quick to point out that the marijuana being laced with other substances comes from the black market.
Which is why, he said, the RCSC is suggesting that users of these drugs or those whose friends or relatives might be drug users have a naloxone kit on hand. Naloxone is a drug that temporarily reverses the effects of an opioid poisoning or overdose. The kits are free and are available at over 2,000 sites across the province including the majority of pharmacies. RCSC also has a kit on hand and staff trained to administer it.
Renovations
Although the RCSC doors have been open to the public since the middle of June they have not been able to provide its full slate of programs, for example, its hot lunch program and not all of it is due to COVID.
In the spring the RCSC embarked on the first stage of a major renovation project, which when completed will allow them to expand their services.
About two years ago, they had the opportunity to take over what is known as the Flower Lane building on Barrhead's Main Street. Before that, they had a much smaller space at the back of the same building.
With the added space, it will allow the centre to resume many of its services, such as the previously mentioned hot lunch program.
"Space was the limiting factor. Before sometimes we would have 15 to 20 people, elbow-to-elbow around a group of tables we pushed together," David said.
However, probably the biggest improvement in the first stage of renovations is the addition of two new bathrooms, one with a shower and one that is wheel-chair accessible.
"Homelessness is definitely a problem in Barrhead and except at the pool, there is no place for anyone to shower," he said, noting that to shower at the aquatic centre people would also need to pay. "Something that if you are homeless you can't do."
David added due to financial constraints, they scaled back the first stage of renovations but in the future, the RCSC plan to upgrade the kitchen facilities as well, but that will be some time down the road.
"What we really would like to see is the Ripple to grow into a kind of a community drop-in centre where people can come to and receive various supports or just come to hang out," he said.
But until then David will settle for the paint to finish drying in his office.
For more information about the Ripple Connection Support Centre, call 780-674-5548 of visit www.rippleconnection.ca.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
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