File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / BialasiewiczFile photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / Bialasiewicz
London

Application In For Permanent Supervised Consumption Facility

Five weeks after opening a temporary overdose prevention site, the Middlesex London Health Unit and Regional HIV/AIDS Connection have applied for a permanent facility.

The agencies have announced that they have applied to Health Canada to open a supervised consumption facility at 372 York St. The facility would provide a supervised environment in which people with addictions can consume narcotics under the supervision of a health care professional. There would also be after care and interaction with staff who can provide clients with information regarding counselling, treatment, and housing.

“We’ve spoken to many people, from those who are addicted, to residents, local businesses and community partners; we’ve also heard from thousands of people online and what is clear is that our community desperately needs this kind of facility,” said Dr. Chris Mackie, medical officer of health and CEO of the Middlesex-London Health Unit in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon. “So many positives have already come as a result of the Temporary Overdose Prevention Site that opened in February, that I expect this permanent facility will not only save lives, but it will also change them forever for the better.”

Earlier this month, Mackie tweeted that the Temporary Overdose Prevention Site (TOPS) has already seen two clients resuscitated. In each case, the client was revived with oxygen and naloxone was not required.

“The location we’ve identified is close to several service providers who already work with people caught in the cycle of drug addiction; it is also in one of the areas that respondents to the feasibility study said they would use,” said Brian Lester, executive director at Regional HIV/AIDS Connection. “Opening a permanent supervised consumption facility isn’t going to solve our local drug crisis, but it is going to help us manage it.”

While there is no timetable for the opening of the permanent facility at 372 York St., Mackie says they are willing to listen to concerns that might arise from the neighbourhood.

“In light of the exciting announcement about an entrepreneurship hub at the London Free Press building, we have also opened a dialogue with the leadership of that project, and are open to adjusting these plans to help ensure a positive impact on their project,” he said.

A media release from the health unit and Regional HIV/AIDS Connection says it will likely be several months before the application process is complete, the facility is prepared, and the staff is hired. In the meantime, the Temporary Overdose Prevention Site at 186 King St. will continue to operate.

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