Waterloo Region – Region of Waterloo Public Health has been awarded $1.9M in funding from Health Canada’s Emergency Treatment Fund (ETF) to support rapid community-based response to addiction and overdose.

The funding will support the integrated work of five collaborating partners, including Sanguen Health Centre, The Working Centre, Thrive HIV, Crow Shield Lodge, and Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington to address urgent community needs. 

Region of Waterloo Public Health will provide strategic, evaluation, and administrative support to the project.

The project will include:

• Expanding capacity of inclusive spaces where people who use drugs and are experiencing homelessness can access support, health care and referrals
• Building community capacity related to overdose prevention and response through peer support, system navigation and outreach 
• Ensuring culturally appropriate supports for the Indigenous Community through access to traditional healing 
• Continuing the Drug Checking program
• Complementing the work of the HART Hub

The Region’s project was one of 30 projects in the country that will be funded out of nearly 400 applicants.

Quotes:

“Thank you to our Health Canada partners for this important funding to support critical work addressing addiction and overdose in Waterloo Region. The collaborative work of our community partners, facilitated by Region of Waterloo Public Health, is a testament to the care and compassion in our community.” 

- Regional Chair Karen Redman 

“Communities across the country, including Waterloo, continue to face the devastating impacts of substance use and the illegal drug crisis. This investment will support the Region of Waterloo Public Health and its partners in delivering crucial mental health, substance use, and social services that connect people to the care and supports they need. By working together, we are helping to improve health outcomes and strengthen the well-being of the community.”

 – The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Member of Parliament for Waterloo, Ontario.

“Local partnerships are vital to advance community-based strategies and solutions. With the expertise of five community partners, the project will support a coordinated and integrated model of care that reduces drug-related harms. This will help to provide targeted life-saving harm reduction services, overdose prevention and response, and social supports for people who use drugs and are living unsheltered.”

- Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Medical Officer of Health, Region of Waterloo Public Health and Paramedic Services.

“Waterloo Region continues to lose people from our community to overdoses related to an unpredictable and toxic drug supply on the streets. The Check and Connect program offers a real time, life saving tool through the Drug Checking Program where a drug checking machine can identify components of a substance before it is consumed. This powerful tool reduces the likelihood of accidental overdoses, emergency service calls, and even deaths – keeping people informed means keeping people alive.”

– Anne Phillips, Senior Director, Sanguen Health Centre

"Crow Shield Lodge will use this funding to expand culturally grounded services for community members living with addictions, including drop-in support and sharing circles. We will work alongside community partners to build lasting relationships and offer a place where these individuals can feel connected and supported, wherever they are in their journey.”

– Sydney Keedwell, HR and Lodge Lead, Crow Shield Lodge.

"Like our partners, Thrive views harm reduction supports as important and effective strategies for addressing substance use. Substance use is a health issue and the people impacted deserve autonomy, respect, and increased access to services tailored to their needs. We are grateful for additional resources that will allow our staff and peer volunteers to increase outreach activities and connect more frequently with the communities most affected by the overdose crisis in Waterloo Region."

– Ruth Cameron, Executive Director, Thrive HIV Prevention & Support

 “The Working Centre will offer extended hours at St. John's Kitchen and expanded mental health and addiction outreach.  This helps people to access indoor space, supports and a wide hub of services. Being able to access indoor space in severe weather, supported check-ins for people living in encampments/on the street, and a place of welcome and belonging are important ways of reducing harm and extending care to those who are living without housing or shelter.”

– Stephanie Mancini, Co-Director, The Working Centre

“At a time when our community is facing growing and complex mental health needs, this investment allows us to show up for more people, in more places, at the moments they need support most. By expanding our outreach at St. John’s Kitchen and across the community, we can more effectively connect individuals to timely mental health, addiction, and crisis supports. This funding is especially meaningful right now as it brings us closer to our vision of a community where everyone feels seen, respected, and supported in accessing the care they need in their journey toward wellness.”

- Aleah Wagner, Central Intake System Transformation Manager, Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington

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