The Ontario government is spending more money in an effort to tackle the opioid crisis.
The Ford Tories have announced $90 million over three years through the new Addictions and Recovery Fund to expand addictions services and add 396 new addictions treatment beds across the province.
Locally, Kettle and Stony Point First Nations and Walpole Island will receive a combined $854,000 to increase access to specialized mental health and addictions services.
The Lambton OPP Mobile Crisis Response Team is also getting a funding boost of $744,600.
The Middlesex OPP team is getting just over $125,000, and over $166,000 has been earmarked for the Essex OPP Mobile Crisis Response Team.
Recent studies have shown a 79 per cent increase in opioid-related deaths during the pandemic.
Lambton Kent Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton said all too often, people dealing with mental health and addiction challenges struggle to find the help they need.
“That is why our government is making targeted investments in our community so, no matter where you live, help is always close to hand. If you need help, know that it is close to hand," he said.
