Federal funding for addictions program

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This article was published 07/07/2023 (1158 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

New federal funding for Westman aimed at helping those dealing with substance use and addictions is great news, says a local advocate for overdose awareness.

More than $20 million was pledged to four provinces through Health Canada, and announced by Carolyn Bennett, the federal minister of mental health and addictions and associate minister of health, in British Columbia on Thursday.

Manitoba’s share is $3.2 million, to fund four programs and projects in Winnipeg, one in Pine Falls and Selkirk, and one in Brandon — Westman’s Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM).

RAAM will receive more than $345,000 in federal funding to improve patient access to addiction for its mobile units that visit Birch River, Virden and Russell.

Any expansion of service that helps people reduce or stop their substance use is a step forward, said Antoinette Gravel-Ouelette, chair of Brandon and Area Overdose Awareness.

“Dead people don’t recover, so the RAAM clinics are there for people who are struggling, plus it’s great that they’re going to continue visiting communities to provide more services,” Gravel-Ouelette said.

All RAAM clinics are walk-in clinics, with no referral required. They are open for people aged 18 years and older who are looking to get help with high-risk substance use and addiction. Help is also available at RAAM clinics for people who experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when attempting to reduce or stop their substance use, and for those who have substance-related health issues, such as hepatitis, pancreatitis and infections.

The toxic drug and overdose crisis is heartbreaking for family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbours across Canada, Bennett said during the funding announcement and news conference.

“We must also commit to working together to further reduce the stigma around substance use and support communities in their efforts to reduce harms and save lives,” said Bennett.

Of the $20 million in federal funding that will go to the four provinces, B.C. receives $11,220,668, Alberta $3,971,099, and Saskatchewan, $1,984,392.

All the projects announced on Thursday are funded through Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP), which provides grants and contributions to not-for-profit and community-based organizations that work with people who have drug and substance use issues.

It’s not yet known how the new funding will be used at Prairie Mountain Health’s RAAM clinic, but Gravel-Ouelette said she hopes for expanded hours at the clinic.

At Brandon’s John Howard Society, executive director Ross Robinson said additional services for the Westman community would be welcome, and added, “Drug use is a symptom, it’s not a problem. It’s a symptom of their problems.”

“Any new resources, which mean expanded opening times for the RAAM clinic, or providing more opportunities for people to access RAAM is 100 per cent great,” said Robinson.

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