NEWS RELEASE
KRASMAN CENTRE
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Overdose deaths are an epidemic within the COVID-19 pandemic across Canada, including in Simcoe County. With the impact of COVID-19, physical distancing guidelines have reduced access to community resources, social service organizations and other people. People who are alone and using drugs can connect with the Safer Use Peer Support line to use more safely.
“The phone line connects callers with Peer Supporters who can watch and send immediate help if things take a bad turn,” says Outreach Peer Dylan de la Rivière. “We want to prevent overdose deaths from potentially deadly substances to happen; we want substance users to be safe."
The Safer Use Peer Support Line is an overdose prevention line run by Krasman Centre Peer Supporters, open daily from 10 p.m. – 3 a.m. Callers are asked to disclose their location in case emergency services need to be called to provide naloxone or oxygen. The phone line aims to help people in areas without safe consumption sites or are using alone with limited access to social services organizations.
“We meet people where they are, offering non-judgmental support,” says Executive Director Susan Dobson. “The street drug supply is increasingly dangerous right now. People are facing great challenges and stressors, and we know many use substances as a way to cope. Folks are more isolated due to the pandemic as we are advised to stay away from others, but this makes substance use even more risky – we hope this line can be a safe and non-judgmental way for people to ‘not use alone’ and it might just save a life."
In May 2017, Canada passed the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act to protect substance users. This law prevents police from pressing charges related to the purchase, selling or consumption of illegal drugs when responding to an overdose call.
Safer Peer Support Line 1-888-233-5633
About Krasman Centre
Krasman Centre is a consumer/survivor peer-based community mental health and addiction agency that provides programs and services to improve lives through information, networking, self-help, mutual support, and partnership. Krasman Centre operates in Newmarket, Richmond Hill and Alliston. This Safer Use Peer Support Line is delivered by the Krasman Centre and funded by the Government of Canada and United Way.
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