Eighteen communities, hardest hit by the overdose crisis in BC, will receive support for community action teams(CAT) as part of the governments plan to respond to the epidemic.
Prince George is one place able to apply for the $100,000 funding from the Overdose Emergency Response Centre’s grant.
Northern Healths Andrew Gray says introducing this program will help with the current system they have.
“We’ve been focusing, primarily, on our own services in terms of providing access to naloxone, the antidote for an overdose, as well as improving access to treatment. We’ve been engaged with a number of partners in downtown Prince George over the pass year and a bit, looking at our health services overall we provide, which has a main focus on mental health.”
The CAT program will focus on of community based-harm reduction services, increasing naloxone availability , addressing unsafe drug-supply, and supporting people at risk of overdose.
Gray says he’s pleased to see more funding going towards the crisis and thinks this will help increase response times.
This money is part of the governments three-year, $322 million investment to prevent fentanyl overdoses.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
