The federal government is providing more than $1.2 million over the next four years for the Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough’s peer-to-peer harm reduction and recovery program, which supports people who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing drug overdoses.
Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef made the announcement on Tuesday (June 16) on behalf of federal health minister Patty Hajdu.
“The opioid crisis is about ordinary people — our neighbours, friends, parents, and children who are struggling with addiction,” Monsef said. “Bringing an end to this crisis will not be easy, but we will do it by working together as a community with support and compassion for victims, service providers, families, and everyone involved.”
While public health authorities have been focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic, the opioid crisis in Peterborough has continued — with some experts claiming the pandemic has actually exacerbated the crisis. So far in 2020, Peterborough police have reported 17 suspected overdose deaths, along with one confirmed overdose death in January.
The Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough’s peer-to-peer harm reduction and recovery program supports people who are at risk of an overdose in the community or following their discharge from hospital. Under the program, peer support training will help substance users engage with people who have experienced overdoses.
“The answer to addiction is connection,” said Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough executive director Debbie Carriere. “People with lived experience will connect with individuals struggling with addictions in order to encourage and motivate them to move along the continuum of care to a healthier, more stable place.”
The program will feature six full-time staff providing 24-hour service, with the capacity to help 500 people annually. Under the program, hospital staff will also receive training to better understand the stigma surrounding substance use.
As of last Monday (June 8), the Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough has been accepting referrals from the Peterborough Regional Health Centre. In the near future, referrals may also be accepted from police, emergency services, social service agencies, correctional institutions, as well as self-referrals.
This $1.2 million in funding comes from Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program, which provides financial support to provinces, territories, non-governmental organizations, indigenous organizations, key stakeholders, and individuals to strengthen responses to drug and substance use issues in Canada.
