News

BRANTFORD, Ont. – The Brantford-Brant Community Drugs Strategy (BBCDS) continues to make progress in supporting a comprehensive, collaborative response to substance use in the community. During the first half of 2025, members of the BBCDS, alongside local partners advanced key actions outlined in the 2025 Drugs Strategy Action Plan.

The achievements to date reflect significant progress toward a coordinated and compassionate local strategy. Key areas of advancement include:

In collaboration with the Brantford-Brant Norfolk Ontario Health Team (BBNOHT), the BBCDS launched a consultation process to engage Brantford-Brant primary care providers about the barriers they face integrating people with substance use disorder into their practices. A final report, expected this fall, will present recommendations to guide future action.

The Treatment Access in the Criminal Justice System Working Group (WG) is developing a resource package to inform criminal justice system workers about the community-based treatment options available to their clients. The goal of this initiative is to increase access to substance use disorder treatment services for criminal justice-involved individuals. It is anticipated that this resource will be available by the fall of 2025.

Enhanced Collaboration Between Outreach Providers in Brantford-Brant

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination among community partners, the Drugs Strategy Coordinator, in collaboration with Positive Health Network, convened a meeting of outreach service providers to explore ways to enhance service delivery. In addition to Positive Health Network, the City of Brantford, the Brant-Brantford Paramedic Services, Grand River Community Health Centre, Community Living Brant and Brantford Native Housing were all represented. Several potential areas for enhanced coordination were identified. Next steps will be discussed and implemented in the fall.

Youth Caregiver Engagement

The Supporting Our Youth campaign was launched by the Drugs and Youth WG in June to help caregivers prevent or delay youth substance use. The campaign focused on equipping caregivers with the tools needed to start meaningful conversations with young people about drugs and their risks.

Together, these accomplishments represent important progress toward the recommendations outlined in the 2025 Action Plan. The BBCDS remains committed to working with partners to ensure all residents have barrier-free, stigma-free access to the support and resources they need.

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Brantford-Brant Community Drugs Strategy
The Brantford-Brant Community Drugs Strategy (BBCDS) is a multi-partner community initiative made up of a partnership that includes public health agencies, municipal organizations, and community-based organizations, including: