Mobile outreach team hits the road in Cumberland County
A mobile outreach team is on the road in Nova Scotia's Cumberland County, something community partners say is a significant step forward in addressing the toxic drug and overdose crisis in the region.
Ashley Legere, executive director of Cumberland Homelessness and Housing Support Association, submitted an application for federal funding in collaboration with the Town of Amherst.
The initiative, which also includes the YMCA of Cumberland's community development program, the Amherst Police Department and Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions as partners, received almost $365,000.
"It's huge," said Legere, whose organization is based in Amherst but supports communities throughout the largely rural county.
"This funding and the access to the mobile outreach vehicle will provide lifesaving interventions, prevention, across a much needed demographic," she said.
Recovery journey
Legere said the team can provide more timely access to services such as detox and treatment, helping clients access care even if it is outside the county. The team will also provide harm reduction supplies and connect people to mental health, addiction and housing supports.
"Connect that person, do the intake, and then drive them to their appointment so they can start their recovery journey immediately. That is the really the meat of this program," she said.
As a result of the funding, she said three positions that pay a living wage have been created and people with lived experience have been hired.
"One of our peer outreach workers actually is a tenant of ours," said Legere. "We were able to hire someone who went from crisis to stability, from homelessness to housing and now is able to support individuals who he may not that long ago had been living with or supported by himself."
Filling gaps
Amherst deputy mayor Hal Davidson said, "Now we have an opportunity to have people that are in the business, that know the business, that are able to provide the services directly on an emergency basis."
Davidson said the mobile outreach team will fill gaps that police can't — something the Amherst chief of police echoes.
"We're always going to be there to help as well," said Chief Dwayne Pike. "We just can't provide that in-depth assistance that people often need. So when it comes to somebody who's in crisis, this is a person that can come along and sit with them, help them at the hospital."
Pike said the mobile outreach team will also alleviate pressure on Amherst police resources.
The new initiative is a part of a growing number of support services in the town.
Earlier this year, Amherst's integrated youth services site, operated by YMCA and the IWK children's hospital, was the first in Nova Scotia to open.
Legere's team is also working to open an emergency youth shelter. That's in addition to 10 emergency beds and six supportive housing units for adults.
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