Sherbrooke – Toxic illegal drugs and overdoses are causing increasing harm across Canada, including here in the Eastern Townships. Concerned about this major issue, Élisabeth Brière, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of National Revenue, and Geneviève Hébert, Member for Saint-François, on behalf of the Minister Responsible for Social Services, Mr. Lionel Carmant, visited CAP Estrie today to announce significant support for the organization and four other projects in the region. The total amounts to over $2.5 million, through the New Canada-Quebec Contribution Agreement, for local organizations to address substance use and addictions. The selected projects focus on preventing and reducing harms among people who use drugs as well as fighting against substance use among youth. The funding granted to CAP Estrie ($724,422) will enable the organization to develop a project for improved access to its treatment and housing services for people with substance use disorders. The other projects selected are those presented by Cellule Jeunes et Familles de Brome-Missisquoi ($560,142), the Centre Jean-Patrice Chiasson-Centre réadaptation en dépendance de l’Estrie ($484,225), the Centre Providence Granby – Mental Health and Addiction Programs Division ($484,225), and Partage Notre-Dame ($307,181).
The Canada-Quebec Agreement provides Quebec with more than $86.8 million to support efforts to address addiction, the prevention of overdoses and reduce substance-use risks. Federal funding for this agreement comes from Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP), which aims to support community-led and not-for-profit organizations in responding to drug and substance use issues.
More than 96 projects, selected by Quebec, will benefit from the funds being invested. Some of these projects will make additional services available to prevent overdoses and reduce risks associated with substance use, based on the realities and priorities of each of Quebec’s regions. Others will involve setting up research projects to develop new knowledge about substance use and addiction. This funding will therefore support various institutional and community partners working to improve the health of people at risk of overdose or at risk from substance use.
The governments of Canada and Quebec will continue to support community partners and organizations working to save lives and reduce the risks associated with substance use.
“We recognize the tragic toll substance use is taking on families, friends and communities across Canada. Our comprehensive and compassionate approach is about reducing harms and saving lives. We are supporting community organizations that have deep roots in their communities, have the trust of their clients and have the first-hand knowledge needed to make a real difference in people’s lives. We are using every tool at our disposal to end this crisis and build a safer, healthier and more caring future for all Canadians.” – Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health