Latest news with #overdosecrisis
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
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. MORE TOP STORIES
CBC
2 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Mobile outreach team hits the road in Cumberland County
Social Sharing 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.
National Post
22-07-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Jamie Sarkonak: Nanaimo, where complaining about feces-drenched drug zones is all you can do
Article content RCMP Constable Adam Taylor explained to the finance committee that the force is held back by federal rules that allow the possession of up to 2.5 grams of illegal drugs, which prevent them from making arrests. (Federal decriminalization efforts have caused similar front-line problems in Sarnia, Ont., to the great frustration of locals). Article content 'Our stance right now is if they are using it in public and it's not grossly over (the federal exemption), it's what we call a 'no case seizure,'' Taylor explained. 'They are arrested, we search them, we seize the drugs, and if it's a small amount, it's just sent with a request to Health Canada to have them destroyed.' Article content To that, Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog asked: 'Is it fair to say … (that) it is practically speaking impossible for the police to arrest folks in a meaningful way for drug use in a public place?' Article content The officer's reply? 'Yes.' Article content The centre, as with many others of its type, does help people. It houses the homeless overnight, and, anecdotally, the city reports that it's connected some individuals with addiction treatment. But, to accomplish all this, it's transformed the surrounding area into a free-range homeless zone rooted to a few indoor service providers. Article content Article content As for whether any of this is improving overdose statistics long-term, it's not optimistic: Nanaimo's rate tripled from 500 in 2016 to 1,500 in 2024, according to provincial data. It's true that 2024 was better than 2023, which saw 2,500 deaths, but plenty more progress needs to be made before the city can declare victory. Article content Similar stories of urban devastation crop up across the country. In Sarnia, in Hamilton, Ont. and in Kitchener, Ont., homeless encampments have become court-entrenched features, with judges ruling that insufficient shelter space renders camp-clearing a Charter violation — with no thought for the general public, of course. In Vancouver, the scene is so bad that Crown prosecutors, whose offices are located in the midst of the maelstrom, are begging to move. Article content In Nanaimo, authorities are now considering moving the Hub in light of resident feedback, but the city's social planning manager wasn't optimistic that a new location could be found. Of course, simply closing the thing isn't an option — it never is. Article content That's Canada, 2025: instead of arresting the people whose crime and chaos destroy community for everyone else, or at least isolating them in facilities for people who can't take care of themselves (which the homeless and addicted can't), we shrug. Whether their problems surface before city councils or courts, the well-being of everyday, society-contributing, city residents remains a low priority. Article content
CTV News
21-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Ottawa spending $2.8M to fight overdose crisis in Atlantic Canada
Minister of Health Marjorie Michel rises during Question Period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Monday, June 2, 2025. The federal government is spending $2.8 million to combat the overdose crisis across Atlantic Canada. Marjorie Michel, minister of health, announced the money will support projects in Fredericton and Miramichi in New Brunswick, Amherst in Nova Scotia and St. John's in Newfoundland and Labrador. The money will come from the Emergency Treatment Fund. 'This funding will deliver immediate support where it is needed most,' said Michel. 'We are using every tool available to connect people to care, address urgent local challenges, and keep our communities safe.' The John Howard Society and the City of Fredericton will use the money to expand outreach efforts, adding overnight services for vulnerable populations. The program will deliver supplies, distribute naloxone and offer overdose support. 'By extending outreach efforts into the overnight hours, we aim to ensure that no one is left without access to essential services—regardless of the time of day,' said John Barrow, executive director of the Society. 'These new overnight outreach services will work in close coordination with existing daytime programs, creating a continuous and responsive support system that prioritizes safety, connection to services, and community care.' More to come…
CTV News
25-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
National data shows overdose deaths dropped in 2024 but still higher than pre-pandemic
Celeta Cook, First Nations Health Authority Executive Director of Public Health Response wears a purple ribbon for overdose awareness during a news conference in North Vancouver, on Monday, April 14, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns TORONTO — National health data shows overdose deaths in Canada dropped in 2024 but the toll still remained much higher than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. A joint statement from the country's chief medical officers of health, chief coroners and chief medical examiners says 7,146 people died of opioid-related overdoses last year. That's down from 8,623 deaths in 2023 but much higher than the 3,742 deaths reported in 2019. The statement notes that the national numbers 'mask important regional differences,' with Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and the Northwest Territories reporting a rise in opioid-related deaths in 2024. The number of people who died decreased in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick and Yukon and stayed about the same in Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. There was no data available for Nunavut. Many Indigenous communities saw an increase in opioid-related deaths, especially among women, between 2023 and 2024 'due to colonialization and continued marginalization,' the statement said. 'The overdose crisis, driven by a toxic illegal drug supply, is one of the most serious public health crises our country has ever faced,' it said. Some provinces and territories that had fewer deaths in 2024 attributed the drop, at least partly, to 'a shift to lower toxicity of the drug supply, based on drug-checking data indicating a decrease in fentanyl concentrations,' the statement said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2025. Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content. Nicole Ireland, The Canadian Press
