THUNDER BAY — It remains unclear whether three proposals to establish supervised drug consumption sites (SCS) in Thunder Bay are jeopardized by a review recently ordered by Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott.
A ministry spokesperson has clarified, however, that the review not only includes the existing overdose-prevention site (OPS) model but also encompasses the current SCS model.
Both types of services have been proposed for Thunder Bay.
The review, announced on Aug.10, has already halted the planned opening this month of a temporary overdose-prevention site at the NorWest Community Health Centre on Simpson Street.
Implementation of OPS services in Toronto and St. Catharines is also frozen until the review is completed.
Approval of OPS sites falls under a different process from SCS applications.
There are proposals to establish two permanent SCS facilities on Thunder Bay's south side, and one on the north side:
- NorWest Community Health Centres jointly with Dilico (Simpson St. site)
- Elevate NWO jointly with Joseph Esquega Health Centre (N. Cumberland St. and 401 E. Donald St. sites)
Cynthia Olsen, the drug strategy co-ordinator for the City of Thunder Bay, said there is "an extreme high need" in the south core in particular, due to a high overdose rate there, but the drug strategy supports all the applications.
In response to the opioid crisis that has seen a rapid increase in fatal drug overdoses, applications for temporary OPS sites go directly to the province.
Applications for SCS locations, which would be equipped with more resources and services, are submitted to Health Canada.
"They are two different streams, and at this moment I can't quite say" whether SCS proposals will be impacted by the review, Olsen told tbnewswatch.com in an interview Wednesday.
Ontario's health minister, however, must give written approval for SCS sites as well.
"Certainly, if Minister Elliott doesn't find in favour of the merit of these, it could implicate getting a letter of support from the minister" for moving SCS applications forward, Olsen said.
Health ministry spokesperson David Jensen said the minister is undertaking an evidence-based review of both the OPS and SCS models "to ensure that any continuation of these services introduce people into rehabilitation, and ensure people struggling with addiction get the help that they need."
In an email, Jensen said Elliott expects the review to conclude in short order, and will follow with a recommendation on how to proceed.
