Alcohol
If you choose to drink alcohol, Renfrew County and District Health Unit recommends following Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health.
Rethink your drinking: An awareness campaign that encourages moderation or low-risk drinking to support healthy lifestyle choices and reduce short and long-term risks associated with alcohol consumption.
App Link: Saying When – A free mobile app to help people reduce or quit drinking
For parents
Parents are a key influence in the lives of their teenagers, including their choices about alcohol use.
Cannabis (Marijuana)
Cannabis, also known as marijuana, was legalized on October 17, 2018. Regular cannabis use impairs thinking, attention and memory. Early and regular cannabis use can have an impact on the developing brain.
Link to RCDHU Cannabis Q&A: https://www.rcdhu.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Cannabis-Fact-Sheet-Final-2.pdf
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) Resources: Cannabis Resources
Cancer Care Ontario: Cannabis and Cancer Fact Sheet (March, 2020)
RCDHU Cannabis Infographic: Using Cannabis can Cause / (Français) Consommer du cannabis peut causer
RCDHU Cannabis Infographic: Cannabis Impacts Driving / (Français) Le cannabis sur la route
RCDHU Cannabis Infographic: Cannabis Use Before, During and After Pregnancy / (Français) L’usage du cannabis avant, pendant et après la grossesse
RCDHU Cannabis Infographic: Cannabis Impact on Youth Under 25 / (Français) L’usage du cannabis chez les 25 ans et moins
Cannabis: What Parents/Guardians and Caregivers Need to Know
Risks of Cannabis on Fertility, Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Parenting
Clearing the Air about Recreational Marijuana Use
Canada’s Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines (LRCUG)
Youth Health Trends in Ontario: Cannabis Since Legalization
Schizophrenia Society of Canada: Cannabis and Psychosis
Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 Get the Facts: Health Harms of Cannabis Use
Opioids (e.g. Fentanyl, Oxycodone, Morphine)
Alerts
ALERT! Risk of Fentanyl Overdose in Renfrew County and District (March 2017)
Fact Sheets
Fentanyl Alert Discussion Sheet for Teachers
Ressource à l’intention des enseignants pour guider la discussion sur le Fentanyl auprès des élèves
Naloxone
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can temporarily stop or reverse an opioid overdose. The Health Unit provides naloxone kits to people who are eligible. See the Needle Syringe Program section of this page.
Other Drugs
The misuse of substances, including prescription drugs and illegal drugs, can have negative effects on the health of individuals, families, and communities.
Information about the different types of controlled and illegal drugs used in Canada
Where to get help
Drug and Alcohol Helpline 1-800-565-8603 Confidential, free, anonymous, live answer, 24/7.
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 24-hour crisis and information line.
Harm Reduction (e.g. Needle Syringe Program, Naloxone)
Harm Reduction Supplies
The Health Unit provides sterile, single use injection equipment for injection drug users. We also provide sharps containers for used supplies, which can be returned for safe disposal. Harm reduction services help prevent the transmission of diseases and reduce the health risks of drug use.
Naloxone Kits
The Health Unit offers free Naloxone kits to:
- active clients of a Needle Syringe Program who are age 16 and over and at risk of an overdose
- friends or family members (age 16 and over) of active at-risk clients
The Health Unit provides information about other sources of Naloxone kits for people who do not meet the above criteria.
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can temporarily stop or reverse an opioid overdose. Examples of opioids include oxycodone, morphine, hydromorphone, fentanyl and codeine. If you think someone is having an opioid overdose call 9-1-1, then give naloxone right away.
Drop-in – no appointment necessary.
Where and When
Pembroke office
Monday to Friday except holidays
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
For more information, call the Harm Reduction Line: 613-602-6056.