In the heart of Northwestern Ontario, Thunder Bay families confronting the harsh realities of addiction have gained a powerful new resource. The recently launched “Parents Like Us” handbook offers a lifeline to those navigating what often feels like an impossible journey—supporting a child through substance use disorders.
“When my son was struggling with addiction, I felt completely lost,” shares Donna Dubois, a Thunder Bay mother whose experience helped shape the new guide. “There was nowhere to turn for practical advice specific to our community’s resources.”
The 47-page handbook, developed through a collaboration between the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and local advocacy groups, addresses this critical gap in support services. Unlike generalized addiction resources, this guide speaks directly to the unique challenges facing Thunder Bay families, incorporating local services, contact information, and real experiences from the community.
Health officials note that the project emerged from repeated encounters with parents desperate for guidance. “We kept hearing the same questions—where to go for help, how to approach conversations about substance use, what rights parents have when their child is an adult,” explains Cynthia Olsen, coordinator of the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy. “This handbook answers those questions in clear, accessible language.”
The guide covers essential topics including harm reduction strategies, community resources, setting boundaries, and self-care for caregivers. Particularly valuable is its section on navigating Northwestern Ontario’s healthcare system, which can be bewildering for families in crisis.
Mental health professionals from CO24 News have highlighted the guide’s importance in a region disproportionately affected by opioid overdoses. Thunder Bay has consistently reported some of the highest rates of opioid-related deaths in Ontario, with 44 confirmed fatalities in 2023 alone.
“The handbook acknowledges something crucial—that addiction is a family disease,” notes Dr. Rebecca Thomas, addiction medicine specialist at St. Joseph’s Care Group. “When we support parents effectively, we improve outcomes for the person struggling with substance use.”
What distinguishes the “Parents Like Us” handbook is its foundation in lived experience. Throughout its development, parents who had navigated addiction services shared their insights, creating a resource that feels less clinical and more companionate.
“This isn’t just a list of phone numbers,” says James Morrison, whose daughter has been in recovery for three years. “It’s about understanding that you’re not alone, that there are strategies that work, and that hope exists even in the darkest moments.”
The handbook is available digitally through the Thunder Bay District Health Unit website and in print at various community centers, libraries, and healthcare facilities throughout the district. Healthcare providers report that early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many parents expressing relief at finally having a roadmap through what has been described as “a maze of services and emotions.”
As communities across Canada continue to grapple with the ongoing addiction crisis, Thunder Bay’s innovative approach raises an important question: How might other regions benefit from developing similar parent-focused resources that address the specific challenges and services of their communities?
