MP Maryam Monsef has announced more than $1.9 million in funding over the next three years to the Peterborough Police Service. Through this funding, people who use drugs and have experienced an overdose will be connected to newly-created community-based outreach and support services.
As part of this pilot project, the Peterborough Police Service has created a collaborative community based mobile outreach team to increase the capacity and options available to first responders to refer people who have experienced an overdose. This new team will help divert people who use drugs away from the criminal justice system and into supportive to harm reduction, peer support, health and social services.
In addition, this initiative will increase access to culturally appropriate services for Indigenous Peoples, LGBTQ2+ populations, youth, women, and those living with HIV through partnerships with other organizations such as Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre and PARN.
“Too many were living in crisis before COVID, and mental health challenges, problematic substance use, and the added pressures of self isolation have increased the deaths and tragedies in our community,” says MP Monsef.
She adds: “Problematic substance use is a public health issue. Caring professionals in our community have asked for additional resources to help them with their important work. This investment will create over seven positions to allow coordination among essential frontline workers, so those who need the help are redirected from criminal justice system to harm reduction, peer support, health and social services. There is much more to be done. Today is a positive step forward.”