Federal Government Commits $40 Million To Fight Addictions

Today’s commitment will fund 73 projects across the country

Today, Carolyn Bennet, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced nearly $40 million in federal funding for 73 projects across Canada through Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addiction Program (S.U.A.P.). This funding is to help support the response to the overdose crisis and address harms related to substance use and the toxic illegal drug supply.

S.U.A.P. provides grants and contributions funding to respond to drug and substance use issues. They provide funding for innovative and evidence-informed projects that address problematic substance use prevention, harm reduction, and treatment initiatives in each province. To be eligible for S.U.A.P. funding, organizations have to be one of the following: 

– Canadian not-for-profit health organizations, including hospitals, regional health councils, and community health organizations

– Canadian not-for-profit organizations and registered not-for-profit charitable organizations

– Canadian institutions, including universities, boards of education, and other centers of education in Canada

– Other levels of government, including Indigenous, provinces, territories, and municipalities, and their agencies

– First Nations, Métis, and Inuit not-for-profit organizations 

“Drug overdose in Canada has spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic and with the increasingly toxic drug supply. Recent data shows historic opioid overdose-related deaths across Canada in 2021. Too many lives have been lost to this crisis, leaving too many families and friends to grieve. 

Today, our government is taking further action by investing in projects that will support people dealing with problematic substance use across the country. I thank all the organizations receiving funding for their dedication in decreasing substance use harms, preventing overdose, increasing safer supply initiatives, and reducing stigma.” – Said Carolyn Bennett 

Here is the breakdown of the $40 million funding: 

–      British Columbia will be getting a total of $6,849,526 spread across 10 organizations. 

–      Alberta will be getting a total of $5,323,303 spread across 10 organizations. 

–      Saskatchewan will be getting a total of $1,616,909 spread across 4 organizations. 

–      Manitoba will be getting a total of $2,509,356 spread across 8 organizations. 

–      Ontario will be getting a total of $20,523,425 spread across 30 organizations. 

–      Prince Edward Island will be getting a total of $250,349 spread across 2 organizations. 

–      New Brunswick will be getting a total of $663,687 for 1 organization. 

–      Nova Scotia will be getting a total of $1,161,225 spread across 4 organizations. 

–      Newfoundland and Labrador will be getting a total of $695,037 spread across 2 organizations. 

–      Yukon will be getting a total of $243,884 spread across 2 organizations. 

Today’s funding should increase substance prevention, harm reduction, and treatment efforts across the country to improve the health outcomes for people at risk of experiencing substance-related harm and overdose. 

Today’s funding will also support those affected by substance use or who face barriers to gaining access to services, including women, youth, young and middle-aged men, Indigenous Peoples, people experiencing chronic pain, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and people at increased risk of substance-related poisoning and overdose. 

Image source Bennet social media feed