As reported this week in the Toronto Star (”Doctors exploit addicts to milk OHIP” and “Methadone rules tightened“), and in a news release on the MoH website, the March 2007 “Methadone Maintenance Treatment Practices Task Force” is now publicly available.

If you want, you can read or print the entire report (146 pages, 2.34 Mb, PDF format), but you cannot electronically copy selected text (eg. to quote sections of the report in an email). Seems like a silly limitation and missue of technology by the MoH.

Corktown was acknowledged in the report for “hosting a local community consultation” (although, to date, CRBA hasn’t been compensated for those meeting expenses, as promised by the task force). The 7 page executive summary opens with a quote from George Smitherman, when he spoke at that Jan 24 meeting. (At that time, George promised to promptly return to Corktown to discuss this completed report - also not done.)

The report’s executive summary included the following, which seem to be the main concerns of Corktown residents:
- “Integrating MMT practices into communities is generally not well done.” (page vi).
- “Some opportunities for improvement [in public accountability by overseeing professionals] ” (page vi)

In its press release, the province has promised some money to:
- develop best practice guidelines for nurses, counsellors and pharmacists
- enhance enforcement of best practice guidelines and quality assurance initiatives
- develop a resource guide to assist in the proper introduction of MMT into local communities
- increase awareness in communities about the value of methadone maintenance treatment

Those are all nice sounding buzzwords, although it remains unclear how the report’s recommendations (or the province’s promises) will reduce the negative impacts that the large volume methadone clinic at 431 King East has on the surrounding Corktown community.

Approximately 40 residents from Sumach, Wascana, Douglas Co-op and Shuter (take the first 2 letters of each street name: SuWaDoSh) gathered in Stinky’s Park (Shuter+Sumach) at noon on Sunday July 15 to enjoy a sunny summer day, to chat, and to share some wonderful lunchtime food: bbq hotdogs, hamburgs and ribs, quiche, grilled Indian chicken, veggies, salads, mango, cheesecake, and more. Many neighbours meet frequently in this park during their dog-walking excursions; this pot-luck picnic enabled more leisurely socializing. Local businesses donated items for lunch or for the raffle: thanks to The Dominion on Queen, Gourmet Bun, Pete’s Open Kitchen, River Towne Deli, Savoury Grounds, IRCPA, Shoppers Drug Mart, Kids Inc. and The Cookie Store. (Additional raffle items were provided by the residents.)
Justin did an exquisite job manning the grill. And a big thanks to Jennifer Kent, who made this event happen: she pursuaded businesses to donate items, co-ordinated choice of potluck foods, and distributed flyers to remind everyone of this event. This 2nd annual SuWaDoSh was even bigger and more successful than last year; let’s do it again next year!