Government of Canada announces more than $4 million to help address harms related to substance use in Ottawa, Ontario
Backgrounder
September 2023
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 more than $4 million in funding for four innovative community-led projects in Ottawa, 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 Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP), which supports innovative initiatives across the continuum of care for a broad range of substances.
The backgrounder below provides a description for all projects receiving funding today through SUAP.
Ottawa, Ontario (total of $4,060,394)
Accidental Drug Poisoning Crisis – Community of Practice
The Priory of Canada of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem – Ottawa, ON
$201,750 added to the existing $670,775 already provided by SUAP to support a national Accidental Drug Poisoning Crisis Support Community of Practice connecting service delivery workers, organizations, agencies, and people with lived and living experience to enable them to share and discuss ideas, challenges, and knowledge of current trends and practices in a safe space. The Community of Practice will also provide program activities to engage those who use substances, along with people and family who care for and support them.
Theme: Wraparound Services
Funding Envelope: Amendment
Leading Change to Systems that Perpetuate Stigma around Substance Use: Moving from Engagement to Action
Community Addictions Peer Support Ottawa (CAPSA) – Ottawa, Ontario
$1,942,004 added to the existing $1,335,563 to propose an evidence-informed, contact-based approach to reduce systemic stigma related to substance use. Trained Peer Systemic Stigma Navigators will be utilized to influence decision makers and leaders to act within their organizations to address programs and policies where changes will directly improve the health outcomes of people who are the most vulnerable to substance use-related stigma.
Theme: Harm Reduction
Funding Envelope: Amendment
Naloxone Training and Distribution in Homeless Shelters
The Priory of Canada of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem)(St. John Ambulance) – Ottawa, ON
$1,500,000 added to the existing $3,897,940 already provided by SUAP to leverage) funded organizations serving people who are experiencing homelessness, to deliver naloxone training and kits across Canada. The additional funding will be used to extend this program for an additional year which will increase the amount of training and number of naloxone kits distributed.
Theme: Harm Reduction
Funding Envelope: Amendment
Opioid Overdose Peer Prevention and Response
Somerset West Community Centre – Ottawa, ON
$416,640 added to the existing $2,070,132 already provided by SUAP to train harm reduction peer workers who will provide outreach to populations disproportionately impacted by the overdose crisis not currently reached by existing programs or services. This program will also build capacity to provide safer practices to people who use substances alone and/or in unsafe conditions. The additional funding will be used to increase the number of staff who deliver these services to Indigenous people who use drugs, and to partner with Indigenous organizations.
Theme: Harm Reduction
Funding Envelope: Amendment