Sudbury's new supervised drug consumption site now open
After months of delays, Sudbury's new supervised drug consumption site has opened downtown in an effort to curb overdose deaths.
The site is a place "where people can consume their own drugs under the supervision of trained staff in a safe and non-judgmental environment. People are provided with safer drug use equipment and can also receive medical care and referrals to other health and social services," Réseau Access Network said in a news release.
It is located at 24 Energy Court off Lorne Street and is open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The hours will be extended until 8 p.m. starting in November.
Sudbury is now the third community in northern Ontario to have a supervised consumption site, Sudbury and Manitoulin Medical Officer of Health Dr. Penny Sutcliffe said.
"This is a significant achievement for Sudbury’s community," said Heidi Eisenhauer, executive director at Réseau ACCESS Network, the group in charge of the site.
"The supervised consumption site will play an important role in the prevention of deaths associated with the poisoned drug supply, reducing the spread of infection, and the associated strain on health and emergency services. The site will also reduce the harm people who use drugs face including stigma and discrimination, and enable access to services as requested by people who use drugs."
Officials expect the new site to help reduce the number of drug overdoses, help connect people who use substances to health and social services, and reduce drug use and the number of discarded needles in public spaces.
The city is still waiting for provincial funding approvals to pay for the estimated $1.1 million in annual operating costs.
"Our community has lost far too many loved ones. The supervised consumption site is a crucial component to help those impacted by poisoned drugs, providing care for all with compassion and hope," Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger is quoted as saying in the news release.
Greater Sudbury city council has approved to pay $1,094,000, while Vale has contributed $100,000 and Wheaton Precious Metals has contributed $30,000 toward the annual operating and capitol costs.
"Shame, stigma, fear, misinformation, and prejudice are killing our community. No one shames someone for drinking in a bar or going to bingo. Those are a type of safe consumption sites too," said Fred, a member of the peer program at Réseau ACCESS Network.
"Everyone should get the chance to become a grandparent. It’s time to leave the old ways of thinking behind. Harm reduction is the future."
"As part of a total community safety continuum, the supervised consumption site is an important service and tool to aid in this opioid crisis," said Greater Sudbury Police Services Chief Paul Pedersen.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, support is available.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.