Statement from Mayor Doug Craig on opioid addictions funding

City of Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig said Thursday’s provincial government funding announcement to help prevent opioid addiction and overdose services is a positive step forward for the Waterloo Region. 

“This is welcome news for the City of Cambridge and the Region overall,” said Mayor Craig. “This funding will make a major difference in terms of strengthening front-line services and enabling a timely response for those who are struggling with the devastating impacts of addiction and who are looking for help.”

At the local level, more than $2.3 million in provincial funding will be provided for the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network. This is part of a $222 million commitment towards Ontario’s Strategy to Prevent Opioid Addiction and Overdose.

About $1.3 million will specifically go towards Waterloo Region. This funding will support rapid access addiction clinics, as well as expanded residential treatment and withdrawal management supports.

The City of Cambridge has formed the Community Outreach Task Force in an effort to share solutions across the region and develop a coordinated response. Part of the task force’s mandate is advocacy at the provincial and federal level. For more information: www.cambridge.ca/OutreachTaskForce