City of Ottawa

Purpose

This initiative will deliver a collaborative outreach effort targeting Ottawa neighborhoods most affected by the toxic drug crisis and the seasonal increase in outdoor drug use. It will strengthen support by expanding the roles of peer and harm reduction outreach workers, addiction counselors, and system navigators while enhancing the capacity to provide urgent health and social services and respond effectively to emergencies. The project will deliver immediate, life-saving harm reduction services, overdose prevention and response, direct connections to essential support systems and direct pathways into safe spaces, and will enhance individuals access to basic needs, housing assistance, employment and social services and connections into substance use health treatment.