Posted: May 04, 2021 5:00 AM CT | Last Updated: May 4
Prairie Harm Reduction says Saskatchewan is dealing with Canada's highest HIV rates, largely fueled by injection drug use.(Kendall Latimer/CBC)
Jason Mercredi has been overwhelmed by the grassroots fundraising effort to help Saskatoon's supervised drug consumption site.
"It's incredibly humbling, and saying thank you feels like not enough," he said, adding the financial support sends a clear message. "If you're living with addictions to Saskatchewan, you're not alone and our agency definitely doesn't feel alone."
Local
businesses and community members raised $180,992.42 so far for the site since it was declined annual funding in the provincial budget last month. Mercredi said more than 50 businesses and 450 single donors have contributed, and there are still fundraisers underway.