Consumption and Treatment Services Site Renovations Six Months Ahead Of Schedule

The recent announcement by the Province of Ontario to fund Peterborough’s application for a Consumption and Treatment Services Site (CTS) has paved the way for local addiction treatment agency Fourcast to take the next steps to prepare the site for service delivery.

File Photo.

This long-anticipated funding, which amounts to $1,357,100 annually from the province, is the culmination of a lengthy approval process that has involved the efforts of several local agencies.

“Fortunately, we’re six months ahead of schedule thanks to the community’s generous contributions during the Light The Way campaign this past autumn,” said Fourcast Executive Director, Donna Rogers.

The Light The Way Campaign raised more than $160k and allowed for renovations to prepare the site at 220 Simcoe St.

“It’s important to recognize that, while it has been a long road to get us to this point, we still have to make upgrades to the space to adhere to the guidelines detailed in the federal exemption and by the Ministry of Health,” she said.

“The aim is to provide a full scope of wraparound services and supports, including referrals to relevant community services,” said Jessica Penner, Coordinator with the Peterborough Drug Strategy (PDS). “The pandemic has highlighted how devastating the drug poisoning crisis has been for our community, so we’re eager to provide a service that will enhance safety, connection, and access to lifesaving supports.”

As renovations to the CTS are completed, Rogers points out that a Safe Supply program is now launching through the Peterborough 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic.

“Now that we can move ahead with the CTS, we look forward to providing support and serving our community as best we can while bringing the facility up to federal and provincial standards,” said Rogers, who clarifies that Consumption and Treatment Service Sites do not provide drugs.

Consumption and Treatment Service sites offer a safe, sterile environment overseen by trained staff and health professionals. Within these inclusive and accessible facilities, staff conduct drug testing for fentanyl and other drugs while equipping service users with harm reduction supplies.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Opioid Response Hub Reaches Fundraising Goal of $160,000 For Renovations

The community came through for Fourcast and the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough as they reached their Light the Way campaign goal of $160,000 for renovations of their opioid response hub announced on Tuesday.

(left to right) Ron Black, Forecast vice chair; Kerri Kightley, program manager and Jennifer DeBues, Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough executive director

The campaign was funded from community donations that launched on Sept. 15. The hub is located at the former Greyhound Bus Station at 220 Simcoe St.

“In just a few months, we received over one hundred donations from individuals, half a dozen from local businesses, a few from churches and professional associations, a grant from the City of Peterborough, plus contributions from four endowed funds held at the Community Foundation,” said Jennifer DeBues, Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough executive director. “The campaign to Light the Way to $160K really has been a community effort and I am grateful to everyone who has contributed.”

The hub’s renovations will better prepare the space to provide the wraparound health services and supports offered by Fourcast along with partner organizations according to Fourcast. This includes PARN, the 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (NPLC), Peterborough County Paramedics and the Mobile Support Overdose Resource Team (MSORT).

“Fourcast acknowledges the success of the Light The Way fundraising campaign as an overwhelming outpouring of support from a compassionate community that wants to mobilize all efforts to end the loss of life associated with opiate poisonings,” says Donna Rogers, Fourcast executive director. “We have a space that is turnkey for the operation of a CTS, and we await a long-overdue response to our application.”

The hub is expecting to open in January as it waits to pass inspections before construction within the month. Fundraising efforts will continue until it is officially open. The extra money will be used to fund several hub programs and a drive-thru window according to Kerri Kightley, program manager.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Fourcast Announces Expansion, Gets Funding For Addictions Services

Addiction treatment centre Fourcast will expand with $500,000 in annualized funding for mobile withdrawal management services from the Ontario Government announced at Victoria Park on Friday.

(left to right) Deputy Mayor Bonnie Clark, Coun. Keith Riel and Donna Rogers, Fourcast Executive Director were in attendance at Victoria Park joining MPP Dave Smith for the announcement. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding is part of the Ontario government’s investment of $32.7 million in new annualized funding for targeted addictions services and supports including treatment for opioid addictions.

Ontario is committing $3.8 billion over the next decade to implement Roadmap to Wellness, Ontario’s comprehensive plan to build a modern and connected mental health and addictions system centred around the needs of individuals and their families according to the press release.

“The fight against the opioid crisis requires a robust local response including a comprehensive array of services to help people beat addiction and live healthy, productive lives,” MPP Dave Smith said. “The key to this effort is strong support at every level of their recovery. $500,000 in annual funding will expand detox services, outreach, and primary medical care for more people struggling with addiction.”

Community Withdrawal Management allows individuals to withdraw from substances in their homes or in another location under medical supervision.

This new funding will hire a nurse practitioner a program manager and two addictions workers into the program. It will be integrated with Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic and other existing services such as housing, social services, residential and addiction treatment and high-quality primary medical care.

"Fourcast appreciates this investment in community withdrawal management services especially the opportunity that it provides to expand our existing program, “ said Donna Rogers, Fourcast executive director. “This new funding will add outreach and nursing capacity to our existing team. Quick and comprehensive response for people who make decisions to change their substance use is important and this investment allows us to improve access and incorporate much-needed nursing support into our response."

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.