THUNDER BAY – Plans are being developed for two supervised drug consumption sites in the city.
Elevate NWO in partnership with the Joseph Esquega Health Centre and Anishnawbe Mushkiki, and NorWest Community Health Centres alongside Dilico Anishinabek Family Care, have each submitted exemption applications that would allow them to open integrated services.
A city news release issued on Thursday described the proposals, which still require approval from Health Canada, as “small-scale” consumption services.
“Supervised consumption services are provided to individuals who use drugs, and provide a safe location with health care supervision for individuals who have pre-obtained illicit drugs,” said Cynthia Olsen, the coordinator of the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy, in a statement.
“In addition to supervision, individuals are provided with sterile supplies, education on safer use practices, overdose prevention and intervention, as well as connection to other program and support services such as medical, counselling, treatment, housing, peers, and income support.”
The Ontario Integrated Supervised Injection Services Feasibility Study was completed for Thunder Bay in February 2017, which determined it was feasible for two sites to be established in the city. It recommended that one be located in the south core while another be set up on the city's north side.
Public open houses are scheduled for April and an online survey is available until April 13.
Open house dates (each session is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.:
- April 9, NorWest Community Health Centres, 525 Simpson Street
(a partnership between NorWest Community Health Centres and Dilico Anishinabek Family Care) - April 10, Joseph Esquega Health Centre, 401 Donald St. East
(a partnership between Elevate NWO, Joseph Esquega Health Centre, and Anishnawbe Mushkiki) - April 11, Elevate NWO, 106 Cumberland St. North, Suite 102
(a partnership between Elevate NWO, Joseph Esquega Health Centre, and Anishnawbe Mushkiki)
