More Funding To Combat Overdose Crisis
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PRINCE GEORGE- In February, the Province announced Prince George would be one of 20 communities across BC to receive a Community Action Team to address the growing overdose crisis. Today, $100,000 was announced for those teams through the Community Overdose Crisis Innovation Fund. It comes at a time when overdose deaths in our region are on the rise. In March, the Northern Health Region saw 13 overdose deaths… the highest number so far this year. Kyle Sam is the Harm Reduction Outreach Coordinator at the Fire Pit Drop-In Centre downtown, he says there may be a rise in deaths as more people are using drugs laced with fentanyl. “The word on the street is there is more stuff laced with fentanyl, it seems to be getting very strong,” says Sam, “it’s quite alarming and scary.”
Community Action Teams are made up of frontline workers, first responders, medical, and government partners in each community. It’s unclear if the Fire Pit will receive some of the funding announced today, but Sam says it works closely with other local organizations to prevent overdose and connect drug users with support.
