March 25, 2024 | London, Ontario | Health Canada
Canada is facing an unrelenting and tragic toxic illegal drug and overdose crisis. No community has been left untouched. The impacts are seen and felt among our friends, family and neighbours. That's why the Government of Canada is leveraging all the tools at its disposal to work towards an end to this national public health crisis-including efforts aimed at prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery and enforcement.
Today, Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament for London West, on behalf of the Honourable Ya'ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, highlighted an investment of $72,768 to the Lawson Health Research Institute through Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP).
These funds have already helped St. Joseph's Health Care London and London Health Sciences Centre train health care and service providers to create tailored harm reduction strategies for people who use methamphetamine. This project, which has trained over 400 hospital staff to date, is helping increase staff's understanding of patients' lived experience, resulting in more approachable and compassionate care, as well as improved interactions between clients and health workers.
Supporting projects like this through SUAP is a key part of the renewed Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy - Canada's comprehensive response to substance-related harms and the overdose crisis in Canada.
The Government of Canada will continue to work with all levels of government, public health and public safety partners, social sectors, Indigenous communities, stakeholders, people with lived and living experience, and community organizations across the country to support a full range of services, improve health outcomes for all Canadians and save lives.
