The provincial government is allocating $20 million over three-years to the First Nations Health Authority.
This money is from the $322 million dedicated from the government to battle the Fentanyl overdose crisis.
“These investments are supported by an evidence-base of findings that have shown First Nations peoples are overrepresented in the overdose public health emergency in B.C. Knowing this, we have come together as partners to target these funds where they are needed in rural and urban areas, in line with our priority areas of action. We all have a part to play in supporting our community members, family and friends to be well. In this emergency there is no one way to respond. These funds will be used in a variety of ways to meet people where they are at on their journey,” says Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shannon McDonald.
The funding includes $4 million in 2017-2018 support activities falling within the goals of the FNHA’s framework for action on responding to the opioid crisis
the goals include prevent people who overdose from dying, keep people safer when using, create an accessible range of treatment options, and support people.
Acting Director for Splatsin Health Services Laura Hockman received a grant for her project, and is grateful for the governments contribution.
“It’s been really heavy to be able to hear the stats, every time I hear it I get emotional. I’m so grateful in order to be able to have access to be able to do the work we do in the community.”
Back in 2017, 1,400 people died from fentanyl, Indigenous people experience an overdose at the rate five times higher than the population at large.
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