Sudbury’s safe consumption site has reversed three ODs since it opened
The people behind the supervised drug consumption site say that 69 people have made 126 visits to the Sudbury location since it opened at the end of September.
On three occasions, the Réseau ACCESS Network said staff were able to reverse overdoses.
"The agency is sharing the figures as the federal government will be making the statistics for supervised consumption sites across the country publicly available," Amber Fritz, Réseau’s manager of supervised consumption services, is quoted as saying in a news release Thursday.
"While the agency initially withheld the numbers to foster an environment of trust with people accessing the service as per industry best practices, the government decision made it possible for the agency to release the numbers prior to receiving provincial funding."
While there were few visits in September, usage of the site saw a 65 per cent increase over the last two months, with 46 visits in October and 76 in November.
Overall, 86.7 of visitors have been men with 51 per cent using fentanyl. The site is located at 24 Energy Court, between the Beer Store and the Independent Grocer on Lorne Street.
"Despite the challenges presented by a location outside the downtown, the supervised consumption site’s uptake has grown steadily," said Fritz.
“It is encouraging that people who use drugs feel comfortable within the space and continue to visit the site to access services.”
“While statistics are important, it is vital to remember that these numbers represent people, lives saved, and a need for change in drug policy so systemically oppressed people can access services without stigma, judgment, or unreasonable requirements,” Réseau said in the news release.
“Supervised consumption sites (SCS) are places where people who use drugs (PWUD) can go to use pre-obtained drugs in a safe, empathetic place, free of stigma and discrimination. SCS are shown to help reduce the harms associated with criminalized drug use and help empower PWUD to make decisions regarding their own care.”
Correction
The numbers of visits, consumptions and unique members provided by Reseaux Access Network Thursday were updated Friday after it noticed the breakdown between October and November were transposed. The infographic with the correct numbers, showing an increase in November when compared to October, has been attached.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Local MP, MLA call on federal government to remove sunken vessel in Saint John River
An MP and an MLA are calling for the removal of a sunken vessel in the Saint John River.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.