The Manitoba government is investing $6.8 million to address the escalating toxic drug crisis by funding the second phase of targeted, life-saving measures focused on public safety, treatment access and support for front-line organizations.
“The toxic drug crisis our province is facing requires immediate and co-ordinated action,” said Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith. “These funds will be used to work with community partners and front-line workers to ensure services, safe spaces and supports are accessible to the Manitobans that need them.”
The funding will be used to rapidly expand critical response services, support the development of a new drop-in and safe sobering site, and fund emerging initiatives in collaboration with front-line partners.
Services and supports that will benefit from the funding include:
- daytime drop-in hours for Siloam Mission;
- extended drop-in hours for West Broadway Resource Assistance for Youth in West Broadway and 1JustCity in Osborne Village;
- flexible funding for harm reduction supplies for front-line workers
- dispatch of the Red Response Team to overdose hotspots for monitoring and overdose reversal; and
- community connections teams to support safety in Osborne Village and along Portage Avenue
The Manitoba government is also providing $2.2 million to Siloam Mission to increase front-line support services. The funding will help keep 100 drop-in spaces operational for its overnight shelter and drop-in until next March.
The Manitoba government remains committed to working closely with front-line organizations, health providers and emergency services to respond effectively to this evolving crisis, the minister noted.
