Health Canada announces over $2.9 million in funding to help support people who use substances across Guelph region

To help support the response to the overdose crisis and address harms related to substance use and the toxic illegal drug supply, the Government of Canada has announced nearly $2.9 million in funding for 5 innovative community-led projects across Guelph region.

July 2022

To help support the response to the overdose crisis and address harms related to substance use and the toxic illegal drug supply, the Government of Canada has announced just over $2.9 million in funding for five innovative community-led projects in the Guelph region in Ontario.

With this funding, these projects will help improve health outcomes for people who are at risk of experiencing substance-related harms and overdose by scaling up prevention, harm reduction and treatment efforts.

Funding is provided through the Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP), which supports evidence-informed and innovative initiatives across a range of interventions—health promotion, prevention, harm reduction and treatment—involving a broad range of legal and illegal substances.

Strengthening the Peer Support Workforce in Waterloo Wellington Canadian

Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington Branch – Guelph, ON

$149,246 over 18 months to equip peer support workers with training and certification required to assist and train organizations dealing with concerns around substance use in the Waterloo Wellington region. Ongoing training and mentoring will ensure the consistent development of knowledge and skills amongst peer workers.

Peer 2 Peer Overdose Response Program

Stonehenge Therapeutic Community – Guelph, ON

$207,403 over 18 months to implement the Peer 2 Peer Overdose Response Program, which will provide peer-led, low barrier urgent response to drug poisonings in Guelph and Wellington County. Support and education will be provided to the individual's family and friends, and the medical staff responding to the drug poisoning.

Concurrent Specialized Youth Hub

Wyndam House Inc. – Guelph, ON

$1,054,138 over 18 months to implement and expand the Concurrent Specialized Youth Hub, which provides youth access to multiple supports in the City of Guelph and in the Wellington and Dufferin Counties. Services will include housing, education, financial support and, low-barrier wraparound health care and support for youth, including those with co-occurring disorders. 

Peer Overdose Prevention Initiative

HIV/AIDS Resources and Community Health – Guelph, ON

$153,096 in addition to the $206,736 already received from SUAP, to provide outreach to people who use drugs who are not currently accessing harm reduction services, and to provide training on Naloxone use. The additional funding will allow this organization to continue to provide overdose prevention services in the community until the end of March 2023.

Safer Supply Program 

Guelph Community Health Centre - Guelph, ON  

$1,339,434 in addition to the $1,103,368 already received from SUAP, to increase the capacity of the current safer supply program and provide wraparound care for participants. The additional funding will help expand the safer supply program to reach an extra 100 participants in North Wellington through a three-day/week clinic and add an Education Coordinator to provide training and support for prescribers.