Prairie Harm Reduction (PHR) announced it will cease all operations, including family support services, youth houses, and its supervised consumption site, effective Thursday. The board cited insurmountable financial challenges and the inability to find a path forward.
"The only remaining option is to cease all programs and services," stated Brady Knight, vice-chair of the board. This includes the drop-in center, education services, and two youth homes. The supervised consumption site, previously closed in March, will remain shut. Knight expressed regret to those who accessed their services.
The non-profit discovered its financial shortfalls to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Knight indicated the deficit continued to grow, making operations unsustainable.
Recent events, including the termination of contracts by the government of Saskatchewan late last month, significantly impacted PHR's funding. An increase in overdoses and a 300 percent rise in demand for services also contributed to the dire situation.
PHR has been collaborating with other organizations and Saskatchewan's Ministry of Social Services to transition youth to new housing, aiming for a smooth handover for individuals reliant on the nonprofit's support. The board expressed hope for a future organization to continue this vital work.