Community Wellness
Mental health and addictions is an epidemic affecting communities across North America. We at the Downtown Association understand this and are committed to ensuring the wellbeing and safety of those in emotional distress or in crisis.
CMHA DOWNTOWN AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
CMHA Downtown Ambassador Program
The CMHA Downtown Ambassador program has now launched! Details are below:
PURPOSE
To provide street outreach in Downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
To promote safety and cleanliness.
To be for residents and visitors to Sault Ste. Marie.
To connect the Downtown community.
To distribute harm reduction supplies.
To provide resources to the most vulnerable.
To administer naloxone, CPR, and First Aid.
To assess individuals and provide social services referrals.
To provide directors to citizens and tourists (who to contact- list on hand, and FAQ)
Ambassadors are NOT security or police.
ROLE PLAY SCENARIOS
Ex. Visitor from out of town is looking for the Canadian Bushplane Museum.
Ex. Assumed mental health client approaches ambassadors to talk.
Ex. Business calls phone line advising there is a homeless man sleeping in front of his store.
Ex. City garbage cans have been knocked over on Queen Street.
WHO ARE THE AMBASSADORS?
Are uniformed peer workers from CMHA,- to be able to distinguish in the community.
Two peer workers on every shift.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday to Friday - 3pm-7pm
Saturday and Sunday - 10am-6pm
Team meets at 386 Queen Street East.
GEOGRAPHIC AREA
North - Wellington Street
South - Bay Street
East - Pim Street
West - Gore Street
BACKPACKS
Ambassador backpacks carry first aid kits, PPE, gloves, granola bars, water, juice, small need disposal bins, small supply of harm reduction kits, program cell phones, resource and referral information, panic buttons/alarms, whistles, hand sanitizer, tongs, disinfectant wipes, map, who to call directory and FAQ for peer workers and general public, naloxone kits, hygiene kits, sunscreen, and a blanket.
NEXT STEPS
The Downtown Ambassador Program team will be visiting all businesses and storefronts in the Downtown area during the first months.
They will introduce themselves, provide brochures, and educate on naloxone.
This is a trial period, in which all details of the program are subject to change including shift times.
DEDICATED LINE FOR BUSINESSES TO CALL FOR AMBASSADORS: 705-989-8483
HOMEWORK
Please send CMHA your scenarios to incorporate into their ongoing training of the peer workers.
Send your scenarios to Annette Katajamaki - annette@cmhassm.com
Needle Disposal
You may come across improperly disposed needles from drug use. Used needles pose a risk of serious harm with improper removal. Do not touch the object, recap a needle, bend a needles, or purposely break or remove the needle from the syringe. Use a pair of tongs, pliers or tweezers to pick up the needle or sharp. It is best to wear rubber gloves. Pick the needle up by pointing the needle tip down and away from yourself. Put the needle in a hard plastic container, like a pop bottle, several millimetres thick with a tight lid and tape the lid shut. Dispose at a needle drop bin.
For more information please visit: www.algomapublichealth.com/sharps
What is Naloxone?
Algoma Public Health:
Naloxone is a safe medication that temporarily reverses the effects of opioids.
NALOXONE DOES NOT REVERSE AN OVERDOSE OF ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS.
Naloxone can be given by a spray into the nose or by an injection into the muscle. Naloxone takes between 2 - 5 minutes to work and can last in the body for 20-90 minutes.
Having the ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose, and having access to a naloxone kit, can save someone’s life.
Naloxone kits DO NOT replace the need for emergency services; calling 911 is still necessary.
If you suspect someone is overdosing, and you are unsure of what they have taken, you will do no harm by giving naloxone. Side effects are extremely rare.
Calling 911 is critical – once the naloxone wears off, the person is still at risk of overdosing again.
You can pick up free naloxone kits at Algoma Public Health (294 Willow Avenue) and the John Howard Society (27 King Street).
