Halifax is getting more funding to continue operating its overdose prevention site in the North End.
Direction 180 will receive $250,000 in funding over two years from Nova Scotia Health. The safe injection site provides a safe place for drug users and access to naloxone kits.
Paula Martin, Program Manager at Direction180 is delighted about the funding. “Funding to support the continuation of services provided by ReFix means people who use substances in HRM will continue to have access to safe and supportive health and social services. This funding also empowers people who use substances to engage in meaningful employment and contribute to the design and delivery of these services.”
Overdose prevention sites support harm reduction by providing equipment and a safe and caring space for people to use drugs. These sites are equipped to respond to overdoses and connect people to important health and social services.
Meantime, the Ally Centre in Sydney will receive the same amount of money to open a new site.
“Given the trend towards a toxic drug supply here in Cape Breton, the Ally Centre is pleased to be given the opportunity to provide this life-saving service to our community”, said Chris Porter, Executive Director of the Ally Centre of Cape Breton.
Fifty people in our province died because of opioid overdoses in 2020.
