SOWINS receives federal funds

To help support the response to the overdose crisis and address harms related to substance use and the toxic illegal drug supply, the Government of Canada has announced over $3 million in funding for three innovative community-led projects across Ontario.

This funding includes $341,334 over 26 months for the South Okanagan Women in Need Society to deliver fixed and mobile community-based harm reduction and supply distribution services for women experiencing or at risk of experiencing violence and abuse, who are also at a heightened risk of substance-related overdoses, The project will be delivered in the South Okanagan-Similkameen region of British Columbia. Project activities include drop-in center services, providing basic needs, advocacy, addictions counseling, testing services, primary healthcare, and information and referrals to other community-based supports.

“SOWINS is excited to secure this two-year funding which will allow us to increase the number of days our Mobile Outreach Van is providing services throughout in the South Okanagan,” said SOWINS acting executive director Liz Gomes. “Further, this funding will also assist us with an additional counsellor for SOWINS, with a focus on harm reduction, which centres on evidence-based and a client centred approach to support individuals with substance use.”

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Carolyn Bennett spent part of Friday in Penticton, where she met with Mayor Julius Bloomfield.

“Every day in British Columbia, and across Canada, family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbors from all walks of life endure the unspeakable loss of losing a loved one to overdose,” Bennett said in a press release. “We are committed to working with community-based organizations in addressing the increasingly toxic illegal drug supply and overdose crisis.”