The governments of Canada and Nunavut collaborate to improve access to treatment for people with substance use
News release
December 10, 2018 Ottawa, ON Government of Canada
The opioid crisis continues to devastate individuals, families and communities across the country. Without increased access to effective, evidence-based treatment options, people with substance use disorder will continue to be at risk for overdose.
On Friday, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, and the Honourable George Hickes, Minister of Health for Nunavut, signed a bilateral agreement under the Government of Canada's Emergency Treatment Fund.
This agreement provides a total of $750,000—$500,000 in funding from the Government of Canada and $250,000 from the Government of Nunavut—to help increase access to treatment for people with substance use disorder.
This investment will fund the delivery of culturally appropriate and relevant treatment services to improve treatment opportunities for individuals with problematic substance use and trauma. The result will be enhanced community-based systems that offer on-the-land healing camps and other community-based supports.
The Government of Canada and its partners recognize that helping people with problematic substance use access treatment—including in remote communities located in Canada's North—will ultimately help people who use drugs to live healthier lives.
"Opioid-related overdoses continue to have a devastating impact in communities across Canada. I am pleased to be able to work with the Government of Nunavut to provide culturally appropriate treatment for substance use disorder and trauma. By improving access to treatment, this bilateral agreement will help communities to respond to the needs of people with problematic substance use. We must continue to work together in a comprehensive and collaborative way to help Canadians access treatment and supports."
The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health
"The Government of Nunavut is grateful for the opportunity to work collaboratively with the Government of Canada in the pursuit of increased access to substance use treatment opportunities for Nunavummiut. This partnership will help foster culturally appropriate approaches to improve treatment opportunities in Nunavut, and support the Department of Health in our commitment to education, outreach and prevention of problematic substance use in the territory."
The Honourable George Hickes
Minister of Health in Nunavut
