The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, is recognizing November 24-30 as National Addictions Awareness Week.

This week is a time to learn more about substance use and addictions, to raise awareness about how to support individuals seeking services for addictions issues and to remember individuals who have lost their lives to an overdose. This year’s theme, “Forging Connections,” highlights the important role of collaboration between government, health care providers, community partners, individuals with lived and living experience and their families in addressing challenges related to substance use.

The Department of Health and Community Services, in partnership with NL Health Services, community partners and individuals with lived and living experience of addictions, continues to advance important initiatives to reduce the harms associated with substance use and help improve overall health and well-being. This includes the five-year Provincial Alcohol Action Plan, which sets a path to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harms through a strong collective, public health-based approach.

Individuals seeking mental health and addictions services are reminded of the resources that are publicly available, including harm reduction supports and services, which can be found online at nl.bridgethegapp.ca/

Free naloxone kits are available to reverse the potentially fatal effects of an overdose involving opioids such as fentanyl.

Residents are encouraged to call 811 or visit Naloxone Kit Distribution Sites for information on where to access free naloxone kits. The department encourages the public to follow harm reduction guidelines, such as not using alone, reducing the quantity used at one time and always keeping a naloxone kit on hand.

Other resources include:

• A mental health and addictions crisis line is available by calling 811;
• Individuals seeking support for mental health and addictions can also call 811, visit Doorways or check out nl.bridgethegapp.ca;
• Opioid Dependence Treatment Hubs, which can be reached by calling 1-844-752-3588, provide same or next day access to opioid agonist therapy with expansion planning underway to include treatment for other substances, including alcohol. These hubs are available throughout the province, including:
  • St. John’s:
  • Gander;
  • Grand Falls-Windsor;
  • Stephenville;
  • Corner Brook; and
  • Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
• The Recovery Centre in St. John’s is available for people aged 16 and over. Call toll-free 1-877-752-4980.

More information on mental health and addictions resources is available by visiting the department’s Mental Health and Addictions website.

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“As a government, we recognize the complexities that exist around addictions, and we appreciate the strong collaboration between all levels of government, health care providers, community partners and individuals with lived experience of addictions that makes it possible to ensure access to critical supports and services for those experiencing substance use challenges. During National Addictions Awareness Week, let us come together raise awareness about addictions, help remove stigma and work towards building stronger and healthier communities.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Minister of Housing

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Learn more
National Addictions Awareness Week 2024

Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador

Provincial Alcohol Action Plan

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