While the numbers show that overdose deaths have been going down, it is essential that we continue the fight against the toxic drug crisis and to continue to reduce the number of overdoses. Communities in Vancouver continue to experience disproportionate harms due to the toxic drug supply, alongside intersecting challenges related to addiction, mental health and housing insecurity. This crisis is complex and has many faces, and we need to work together at all levels to coordinate our efforts to save lives and make communities safer.
Today, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, was at East Hastings in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, an area at the centre of many of these challenges. The Minister was joined by Kevin Brosseau, Canada's Fentanyl Czar and Ginette Lavack, Member of Parliament for St. Boniface-St. Vital and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Service. The Minister was also joined by the Vancouver Police Department as the Government of Canada is committed on advancing the country's fight against fentanyl by working with law enforcement, and security agencies on concrete action to protect the safety and health of our communities.
While she was at East Hastings, Minister Michel also met with All Nations Outreach Society, a community-level organization delivering life-saving services on the frontlines in Vancouver. All Nations Outreach Society is receiving $492,000 through Health Canada's Emergency Treatment Fund (ETF) to provide overdose prevention, harm reduction services, safe transportation, and culturally grounded programming to Indigenous Peoples in their community.
The Minister also visited the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation, which is receiving over $626,000 in addition to the $5.8 million already provided through Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP). This additional funding will support a project designed to help frontline organizations support people who use drugs successfully transition back into the community.
