Ontario ordered five Toronto safe injection sites to close. Here's what's been happening on the streets since then
As the Street Health outreach workers walk the back alleys and laneways near Sherbourne and Dundas streets, looking for people in distress, Naloxone kits hang on rusted chain-link fences like Christmas ornaments. They're placed there by the workers, but also community members looking out for each other; typically, they're all gone by the next day.
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CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
Fredericton mobile outreach van to run 24/7 thanks to federal funding
An outreach team run out of a Sprinter van is now working around the clock thanks to funding through a federal overdose prevention fund. "With the teamwork and the smarts that we have here in Fredericton, along with the support that we've received from the federal government, I am confident that this project is going to have a meaningful life changing impact," said Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers. The funding will expand the hours of the mobile outreach team, which helps to connect those living rough to services, administers and distributes naloxone kits, and provides addictions support. The van was purchased by the City of Fredericton and is run by the John Howard Society of Fredericton. Six new staff members will be hired and trained in mental-health first aid, trauma informed care, overdose prevention and suicide intervention. John Barrow, executive director of the John Howard Society, said the team now works with about 200 people a day and 30 people a night. The daytime service has been in place for nearly a decade. "I think the biggest thing is to meet people where they're at," Barrow said. "A lot of times when they're requesting intervention or support services, the time to do it is in the moment." "We've got a team now that can respond to folks who are directly on the streets at the point when they want the intervention. That's the time to strike." The funding comes from the Emergency Treatment Fund and is one of four programs in Atlantic Canada receiving a total of $2.8 million. Miramichi, Amherst, Nova Scotia, and St. John's are the other three communities receiving funding for community programs, but neither the Fredericton event nor the news release included any details about what those programs are. The Fredericton portion of the funding is $578,100. Fredericton addictions outreach van to go 24/7 21 minutes ago Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michelle was in Fredericton for the announcement and confirmed the funding is only for one year, after which the program will be "reassessed." "We don't know, you know, in a year where we will be with this crisis, is it going to improve? Is it going to be a big one? So we will adapt," she said. "We need to understand talking about mental health challenges, those crises, it cannot be solved in one day. We collectively have to improve access for people to get not only emergency [services], but also treatment and what works for them." Rogers was quick to say the City of Fredericton will enure the program receives the funding it needs. "I'm certain it will demonstrate that it has had an impact," she said. "When you work with a trusted organization like John Howard, I think we all work together to see how we can continue to support that project. We have been supporting them, locally, provincially and I know the federal government will now see proof of concept in this work." Roger said she is "confident that we will see ongoing support for this project."
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Toronto Star
Ontario ordered five Toronto safe injection sites to close. Here's what's been happening on the streets since then
Abel Agum and Resty Nasasira are walking on Sherbourne Street with a trolley full of supplies — sterile needles, pipes, tourniquets, snacks and water bottles, as well as a waste bin to collect used paraphernalia. As the Street Health outreach workers walk the back alleys and laneways near Sherbourne and Dundas streets, looking for people in distress, Naloxone kits hang on rusted chain-link fences like Christmas ornaments. They're placed there by the workers, but also community members looking out for each other; typically, they're all gone by the next day.
CTV News
5 days ago
- CTV News
Party safer: Tips for a safe summer party season
If you or someone near you is using drugs, you'll want to know some important safety tips. With summer festival season in full swing and vacations underway, it's party time for thousands of people across Ottawa. Ottawa Public Health has launched a new online tool to help people party safely, especially when alcohol or drugs are involved. 'We know that alcohol and drugs are a part of the festivities and celebration often, too,' Megan Francoeur, with Ottawa Public Health, told CTV Morning Live. 'Just making sure that we're not mixing substances, starting low, going slow, looking out for each other, getting naloxone, making sure that we know how to respond to overdose and intoxication.' includes free online trainings, printable materials, social media tools, and community resources for event goers and event organizers. 'There's resources for event staff and volunteers, free trainings that take 15 minutes with some really practical tips and also resources for parents and guardians to talk about substance use with your teens and also festivalgoers and school students,' said Francoeur. The site has details on commonly used substances like alcohol, cannabis, opioids, and tobacco, along with information on harm reduction and naloxone use, including where to get naloxone kits. Naloxone A naloxone kit is shown in this undated image. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa) The site also has information on mental health and addictions resources, bystander intervention and violence prevention, and safe sex. 'People are out more and we've been out at special events recently and it's been so nice to see the response from thousands of people coming up, saying they're happy to be doing this type of training and we love to see it when somebody walks by our tent and goes, 'I already have a (naloxone) kit,'' Francoeur said. The free trainings require an Olearn account, which is free to set up, but other resources including tips, information, and links to service providers are freely accessible on the website.
