OTTAWA—The toxic drug and overdose crisis has touched every community nationwide and, as such, has been deemed a national public health crisis. Health Canada is pledging more than $21 million toward prevention, harm reduction, recovery, treatment and enforcement.
The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction and Associate Minister of Health, announced more than $21 million in federal funding for 52 projects through Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addiction Program (SUAP). The budget is focused on improving health outcomes for people who are at risk of experiencing substance-related harm.
Since 2017, over $500 million has been committed through Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program and has benefitted more than 380 projects nationally, including Indigenous communities and low-income and low-education populations. Through new investments announced in the 2023 Federal Budget, the Government of Canada also proposes over $359 million over five years to support a renewed Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy, which will continue to inform how care is provided to those at risk.
The Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy launched in 2016 was also renewed and builds on the work done in previous iterations, including the Expert Task Force on Substance Use. The federal government is using an integrated approach to address the overdose crisis and other substance use-related harms by supporting community-based programs to help reduce stigma and meet the needs of those who are affected by getting the services and support when they need them.
“As a harm reduction nurse, I understand the incredible complexities of this devastating crisis. There are multifaceted ways to approach it. Compassion lifesaving interventions are not up for debate. I have seen firsthand the lifesaving impact of community-based initiatives, and we must listen to the perspective of those with lived and living experience because they know best what is needed,” Chief Nursing Officer of Canada, Dr. Leigh Chapman, said in an emailed statement.
Addiction is a treatable medical condition, not a moral failing—yet many people affected by addiction continue to face stigma and shame. The language that is used has direct and profound impacts. Public education around addictions is a critical facet of overdose and substance harm prevention.
