Élisabeth Brière Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, joined a number of officials and dignitaries at MacKay Manor Wednesday.
With 41 drug-related deaths and countless others struggling with addiction in Renfrew County last year, it’s an announcement that couldn’t come soon enough.
MacKay Manor in Renfrew is getting $1.8 million in federal funding through the Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) for their project: Mesa Renfrew County Mobile Substance Use Service.
Élisabeth Brière Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, joined a number of officials and dignitaries at MacKay Manor Wednesday to make the announcement.
The toxic drug and overdose crisis is widespread and pervasive, said Brière.
The project will expand access to harm reduction and substance use care in Renfrew County by designing and implementing an integrated mobile substance use service staffed by a community paramedic, social worker, peer support worker and by Elders/Traditional Knowledge Keepers.
MacKay Manor executive director Liana Sullivan explained the integrated approach.
The project integrates partners that include community withdrawal management services, paramedics, community mental health and addictions agencies, hospitals and the public health unit to offer services and referrals for case management, system navigation, housing, opioid agonist therapy, wound care, drug testing and virtual consultations.
Renfrew County’s Mesa and Substance Use Addiction Program core committee was on hand for and applauded the announcement.
Also at the announcement was Brandon, who credited Mesa and the Manor for their support helping him through his addiction and recovery.
Renfrew Mayor Tom Sidney was among the dignitaries who spoke. He said Renfrew and Renfrew County are synonomous with creativity and thinking outside and credited the team for being leaders in their field.
Sullivan said the core team and advisory committee will be meeting in the near future to develop next steps, which include hiring and training staff, working with community partners and those with lived experience, with the hopes the expanded program will be in place by April 1, 2025.
Roberta Della-Picca of the Bonnechere Algonquins offered opening and closing blessings and drumming for the event.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)
Roberta Della-Picca opened and closed the event with traditional drumming.
MacKay Manor executive director Liana Sullivan addresses the crowd.