Population & Public Health – Regional Office

Suite 400, 1488 4th Avenue

Prince George, BC V2L 4Y2
Telephone (250) 565-2649

July 28, 2020

Moira Green
General Manager, Community Services
Fort St. John, BC
10631 - 100 Street, Fort St. John, BC V1J 3Z5

Dear Moira,

RE: A Joint Approach to Address the Opioid Overdose Crisis

Now that the first wave of Covid-19 is behind us we have an opportunity to turn our attention to the other
public health emergency in the North. The City of Fort St. John (City) and the Northern Health Authority
(NH) must address the immediate need for a strong community-based approach to address the opioid
overdose crisis. The number of Northerners, including in Fort St. John, dying from overdoses stands out
and requires an urgent and joint effort. Together we need to address the factors that lead to those
unfortunate deaths. As important, while we work as partners to address those core issues, we must
also work together to prevent further deaths attributable to an opioid overdose.

The Community Charter, contemplates the need for municipalities and health authorities to work
together. Often a preferred first step is to hear directly from the residents what their views are and their
level of support for a range of potential solutions. It is suggested the City and NH begin a process to
seek input from the residents of Fort St. John and we invite you to join us as partners to begin a
community consultation process in September 2020.

There is a likely role for Urban Matters (https://www.urbanmatters.ca/) to bring their knowledge and
experience to support the community engagement process. Having an engaged community should set
the stage for everyone to come together to support, create, and implement community-based solutions
designed by and for the community of Fort St. John that prevent addictions, support residents (and their
families) that have an addiction, and prevent avoidable deaths. Research, best practices and
successes in other municipalities will guide us throughout the community dialogue.

We would appreciate the opportunity to work with the City of Fort St. John on this community
conversation. Moira, perhaps we could meet over the next two weeks to discuss any questions the City
may have and commence planning for the community consultation.

Regards,

Dr. Rakel Kling, MD MSc MPH FRCPC Joanne Cozac

Medical Health Officer, Northern Interior HSDA Health Services Administrator
Northern Health Northern Health

cc: Lori Ackerman, Mayor, City of Fort St. John

Dianne Hunter, City Manager, City of Fort St. John
Angela De Smit, Chief Operating Officer, Northern Health
Dr. Jong Kim, Interim Chief Medical Health Officer, Northern Health