The City of Campbell River has secured more than $1.1 million in federal funding to launch a new Mobile Outreach Program aimed at addressing the ongoing toxic drug crisis in the community.

The initiative is being led by the City in partnership with Lookout Housing and Health Society and is funded through Health Canada’s Emergency Treatment Fund.

The program will focus on supporting people at the highest risk of overdose and death from the toxic drug supply, along with their families, peers, and other community members.

The goal is to provide rapid, community-based overdose response services while helping people connect with health and social support.

Officials say many people struggling with substance use also face barriers such as homelessness, poverty, trauma, and difficulty accessing services.

The Mobile Outreach Program will offer assessments, transportation to appointments, assistance navigating housing and support systems, and help connecting individuals with treatment and recovery options.

Mayor Kermit Dahl says the toxic drug crisis has had a devastating impact on Campbell River and surrounding communities.

Dahl says the new program will help connect people to care, reduce pressure on emergency services, and create more opportunities for individuals to stabilize their lives.

Health Canada has approved just over $1.14 million for the 2026-27 program year.

The funding will support an expanded outreach team operated by Lookout Housing and Health Society, including a program coordinator, outreach workers, a mental health support worker and trained peer workers with lived experience.

Funding will also cover two Community Support Officers and a Community Safety Coordinator.

Those positions will help evaluate the program and strengthen partnerships as part of the City’s Community Safety and Wellbeing Action Plan.

The Mobile Outreach Program is expected to operate five days a week, with evening, weekend and after-hours coverage available when possible.

To learn more, visit City of Campbell River.