Rural communities and non-profit organizations in the Interior Health region have received grant funding to support and expand localized overdose response and awareness effort.
The grants are aimed at providing live-saving supports, developing harm reduction policies, reducing stigma, and knowledge-sharing, according to a news release.
含羞草研究社淧eople living in rural, remote and Indigenous communities are best equipped to address the overdose crisis on the ground in their communities,含羞草研究社� said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. 含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 grateful for the wisdom and expertise of community leaders whose innovative projects are making a difference during two public health emergencies.含羞草研究社�
The recipients include Acknowledging All Nations & Developing Unity, OneSky Community Resources, AIDS Network Kootenay Outreach and Support Society (ANKORS), Shuswap Indian Band and Dudes Club Society.
Given the geographic challenges throughout the B.C. Interior, those in remote communities often have issues accessing substance-use programs or services.
含羞草研究社淭he news that ANKORS has been awarded this grant comes with so much excitement and hope,含羞草研究社� said Alexis Hekkers, prevention education co-ordinator with ANKORS. 含羞草研究社淲e continue to see the impacts that COVID-19 and the overdose crisis have on our Indigenous peoples at devastating levels. In 2020, we lost so many to fatal overdoses and many of them Indigenous women.
含羞草研究社淎s a Metis woman with lived experience, I see this as an opportunity to create some true positive change for our Indigenous peoples in the form of harm reduction services, education, support and connection. I can含羞草研究社檛 wait to see what ANKORS can do to support our Indigenous peoples further in the East Kootenay.含羞草研究社�
According to provincial data, Indigenous peoples and communities are disproportionately impacted by the overdose crisis, with higher overdose death rates as the illicit drug supply has become increasingly toxic.
含羞草研究社淜uksetemc [thank you] so much for the great news on the success of this application,含羞草研究社� said Danielle Armstrong, health director, Shuswap Indian Band. 含羞草研究社淥ur community is very overwhelmed and excited to be able to better support our membership for the next 12 months.
含羞草研究社淪huswap Band members have experienced great loss due to the opioid crisis over this past year and knowing we can bring in additional support to assist with the healing of our members is so amazing! I look forward to sharing our success stories.含羞草研究社�
More than $1 million in grant funding is being distributed to 23 rural and Indigenous communities and organizations in the province.
trevor.crawley@cranbrooktownsman.com
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