MPP Dave Smith and Fourcast Announces Expansion, Strengthening of Addictions Services

$500,000 in annual funding will increase outreach, detox services and primary care for those struggling with substance abuse.

November 12, 2021
Peterborough —Today, Dave Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha, Donna Rogers, Executive Director of Fourcast, Ron Black, Chair of Fourcast’s Board of Directors, County Councillor Bonnie Clark and Diane Therrien, Mayor of the the City of peterboough, announced a major addictions treatment expansion in Peterborough.

The Ontario government is investing $32.7 million in new annualized funding for targeted addictions services and supports, including treatment for opioid addictions. This funding is part of the government’s commitment to invest $3.8 billion over 10 years to implement Roadmap to Wellness, Ontario’s comprehensive plan to build a modern, connected and high-quality mental health and addictions system centred around the needs of individuals and their families.

“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,” MPP Smith added.


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 and several specialized addictions workers to deliver the expansion. This program 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. 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.” Said Donna Rogers, Executive Director of Fourcast.

“Canada is facing a national opioid crisis that continues to have devastating impacts on communities and families across the country and it is one of the most difficult challenges facing our City here in Peterborough,” said Mayor Diane Therrien. “We are extremely grateful to the Province and Fourcast for this commitment to continued funding and support to expand detox services, community outreach and critical medical care.”

Quick Facts

  • Under Roadmap to Wellness, Ontario has announced an increase of $525 million in annualized funding for mental health and addictions support since 2019-20. This includes $175 million for more mental health and addictions services and supports in 2021-2022 committed through the 2021 Budget, $176 million invested in October 2020 and new funding of $174 million invested in 2019-20.
  • In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the province has invested up to $194 million in one-time emergency funding for mental health and addictions services, including virtual supports which have been accessed by more than 83,000 Ontarians.
  • Ontario is also investing $23.6 million to support internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which has been accessed by over 43,000 Ontarians since the province launched this program during the COVID19 pandemic, including over 8,100 health care workers.
  • The Ontario government is investing $2.5 million in Breaking Free Online, an innovative therapy tool that makes it faster and easier for Ontarians to access safe and effective addictions supports. Ontarians can register at www.breakingfreeonline.ca and have free access to programming and resources for two years. Mental health and addictions service providers, such as counselors and therapists, can also register their patients for this service to complement their addiction treatment program.
  • Visit COVID-19: Support for People to find information about the many available, confidential and free mental health and addictions services and supports for Ontarians of all ages.