The Middlesex London Health Unit is set to announce where it will put a temporary overdose prevention site.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie will be joined by other officials, including Mayor Matt Brown, Police Chief John Pare, and Addiction Services of Thames Valley Executive Director Linda Sibley at the announcement on Friday morning.
Once approved, the site will allow those who use injection drugs to do so in an environment in which they are supervised by health care workers in order to prevent overdose deaths. The health unit submitted its application for a temporary site last Friday.
Like many communities, London has seen an increase in the number of people injection drugs, particularly opioids. In December, Ontario Health Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins asked the federal government to allow and fund overdose prevention sites.
Dr. Mackie said at the time that the sites will help, but they are not a cure-all.
“Supervised Consumption Facilities alone are not going to end the drug crisis. Londoners clearly recognize that, and want these facilities to offer links with other services,” he said last month.
Friday's announcement will be held at 11am at Innovation Works on King St.