Feds earmark $4.3M for drug response projects on Vancouver Island

The federal government has promised more than $4.3 million to help support six groups that are trying to tackle the drug crisis on Vancouver Island.

by Adam Chan, Chek News – Read the source article

The lionshare of that total, at just more than $2 million, is going towards SOLID Access Hub in Victoria to “expand low-barrier access to harm reduction and health services.”

The initial announcement was met with some skepticism from local non-profits that thought the sum could have been better spent elsewhere.

READ MORE: Feds quietly grant Victoria $2M to tackle drug crisis

Meanwhile, $609,000 is going to the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council for harm reduction outreach in Port Alberni, including the hiring of two outreach workers for mobile service.

Another $536,274 is going to the K’ómoks First Nation for its Indigenous-led Wellness Outreach Van Program in the Courtenay area – while $442,752 is going to the City of Nanaimo to boost its overdose response.

Some $418,212 is also going to the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation Supported Recovery and Transition Program in the Tofino area to help expand its Saasin Transition House with culturally relevant support and recovery resources.

Lastly, the Oasis Society for the Spiritual Health Of Victoria is receiving $261,300 to start offering “trauma-informed, culturally safe healing programs for Indigenous and marginalized communities affected by substance use, focusing on spiritual health and community connection,” according to the federal government.

The more than $4.3 million in funding going towards these six projects on Vancouver Island is part of the federal government’s promise of more than $30 million for 34 projects across Western Canada.

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach to solving the overdose crisis, and no community can solve it alone,” said Marjorie Michel, federal minister of health.

“By investing in community-driven, culturally relevant, and evidence-based initiatives, we are making sure people have access to the care and support they need, close to home,” she said.