Local groups hoping for provincial grant money to fight opioid crisis
Three Grande Prairie groups are hoping to be picked from over 100 applicants for provincial grant money to fight the opioid crisis.
The City of Grande Prairie recently caught wind of the number of applications that were sent to the Alberta government for the Opioid Public Awareness Grants. There is $500,000 in funds available and the Swan City organizations each asked for $100,000 towards their initiatives. The local school boards and RCMP teamed up as well as the Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce and City. The HIV North Society sent in an application on its own.
“I think this is an indication that the provincial government underestimated the amount of response that they would have for this new grant program. They may choose to increase the amount of resources that are available (or) they may pick and choose the grants that they support. I think that may be what is taking the extra time,” explained Mayor Bill Given.
The funding was set to be announced after January 16 but has yet to be released.