Applications for Timmins' permanent overdose prevention site are sent
Officials with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Cochrane-Timiskaming said they're optimistic that a permanent overdose prevention site will be approved within the year.
Dr. Paul Jalbert, executive director for the area CMHA, said now that Timmins council has endorsed a provincially-funded supervised consumption site, applications to the provincial and federal governments have been submitted.
“We’re hopeful from Health Canada we can start a conversation after their initial review maybe six weeks from now or so and then the Ministry of Health some time after that, but also we continue the engagement work particularly with the near neighbours and with the downtown core,” said Jalbert.
“I’m hopeful that we can see something in six months but six to nine months is probably more realistic."
The temporary Safe Health Site Timmins (SHST) was opened in July and is managed by the Timmins and District Hospital.
Hospital officials said in the first six months of operation it saw more than 10,000 visits with almost half of those to consume substances on site. The other visitors were seeking a variety of other services offered at the site.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
When it becomes a permanent faculty at the Cedar Street North location, the local CMHA will run it. Jalbert said improved access to services including housing support and primary care will be offered at that time.
“As a mental health and addictions service provider, we can tie people from this harm reduction service to a treatment service just about immediately if they want to make that connection, so really seamless for the individual who’s coming in,” he said.
Porcupine Health Unit officials said a provincially-funded supervised consumption site is one part of a larger comprehensive approach with the Timmins and Area Drug Strategy to address substance use in the region.
Officials told CTV News that while SHST saves lives – so far twenty-two overdoses were reversed –it also saves money since visits to emergency room visits and paramedic response calls are more expensive.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.