Avenue B, a non-profit organization that provides drug users with safe injection sites and health resources, will receive $200,000 in government funding.
MP for Saint John-Rothesay Wayne Long announced the funding on behalf of the Minister of Health, Ginette Petipas Taylor, on Tuesday.
It’s all part of a federal harm reduction strategy for Canada’s tragic opioid crisis.
The funding will allow Avenue B to start a Peer Health Navigator Project, as well as community intervention, education and outreach for drug users.
It will also allow for training of health providers at Avenue B.
Long says the work Avenue B does is crucial to public health, and keeping communities safe.
“Under the Peer Health Navigator Project, these workers will help addicts with accessing health care services and taking better care of themselves.”
From January 2016 to March 2018, more than 8,000 people have lost their lives to the opioid crisis in Canada.
“Every one of them left someone behind, every one of them left a hole that cannot be filled,” said Long.
Long says harm reduction should be an ongoing community effort.
“When it comes to protecting public health, everyone in our community has a role to play. Whether its providing services, making targeted investments, or working to end stigma and discrimination against people who use drugs,” he said.
