Ontario spending $32.7M to combat addictions as opioid crisis continues

The Ontario government announced Wednesday it will spend $32.7 million to support those with addictions, with some $6.9 million of that going to help those who are using opioids.

The new spending will go toward community-based services thatsupport what the government callslifelong stabilization and recovery and bed-based investments for adults and youth who need intensive support.

The move comes as Ontario continues to see a steady increase of people overdosing on drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic.A newstudy from the University of Waterloo shows that between2000 and 2017, the number ofopioid-related deaths has increased by 592 per cent.

Deaths related to opioid addiction in Ontario have also tripled since 2011.

The Canadian Mental Health Association in Ontario told The Canadian Pressit welcomes the funding, but notes it doesn't go far enough.

The government's funding is annualized andlaid out in itsRoadmap to Wellness, a plan focused on managing Ontario's mental health system and services.

In today's announcement,HealthMinister Christine Elliott said that funding will support three goals:"preventing substance-related harms by connecting people with harm reduction supports, investing in early stabilization to encourage treatment and lay a strong foundation for transitions between service providers, and improving access to evidence-based treatments."

Ontario's Roadmap to Wellness indicates that investments will ensure Ontarians receive the help they need. They'realsoexpanding assistance to children and youth.

The Roadmaphas pledged an increase of $525 million in annualized funding since 2019.