Jean Hopkins, the champion for the Accidental Poisonings Action Group, is a distinguished figure hailing from the Guelph Wellington Drug Strategy, where she has amassed substantial expertise in combatting the opioid pandemic. With a steadfast commitment to harm reduction and youth education, the Action Group harnesses the power of statistics to streamline their strategies effectively. In 2023, they launched a targeted poster campaign aimed at youth to promote harm reduction practices, marking a pivotal step in their mission. In 2024, they began creating a video to further amplify their message.  Now in 2026:

Key Initiatives 

• Please note: WGDS is currently developing a community-based strategic plan. This plan will guide our strategic direction, priorities, and activities over the coming months and years, with partners. As a result, key activities and projects over the coming months may change as the strategic plan is developed.  

• Coordinate 2 Drug Poisoning Awareness Day events in August (Guelph & Wellington sites). 

• Plan, coordinate, promote and deliver WGDS Learning Series events on emerging substance use trends and highlight community programs. 

• Refresh and expand visual tools and infographics to support cross-sector partners in sharing consistent, evidence-based information, with the goal of preventing substance use–related harms and increasing awareness of available community resources. 

• Development of a Harm Reduction Access Guide, informing the community of where to access supports and reflecting the current substance use service changes taking place in Wellington County. 

• Develop WGDS Strategic Plan via broad community engagement.  

• Continue to monitor drug poisoning trends in Wellington County, and work with community partners to issue alerts when there is a heightened risk. 

• Additional initiatives over the course of 2026 will be brought forward to the leadership table 

Milestones & Timelines 

• Milestones and timelines will be determined in alignment with community partner capacity and the completion of the strategic plan. All identified actions will be completed by year-end, with regular progress updates provided to the Leadership Table.  

• January – April: Launch strategic planning engagement, deliver learning series,  social media posts and harm reduction access guide 

• April – August: Drug Poisoning Awareness Day, additional trainings, social media posts and infographics. 

Key Performance indicators (KPIs)

• 2 county events delivered for Drug Poisoning Awareness Day. Total attendance/engagement recorded.  

• At least 3 Learning Series sessions; Total attendance and engagement recorded. 

• Development of Harm Reduction Access Guide. Distribution to partner locations recorded.

• At least 4 new infographics. Distribution to partner locations recorded.  

• Finalized WGDS Strategic Plan launched by year-end 

Volunteers willing to lend their support to this critical cause are warmly welcomed, as the Action Group continues its unwavering dedication to fostering a safer, healthier community.