Island Health is proposing three supervised consumption sites for injection drug users in Victoria in response to an unprecedented number of overdose deaths in the past year.
“Vancouver Island takes no comfort in being the health authority with the highest rate of overdose deaths per capita” in B.C., said Dr. Richard Stanwick, the health authority’s chief medical health officer.
“There are potentially more people dying from overdoses than automobile crashes. The time to take action is now.”
In the first nine months of 2016, 137 people died from illicit drug overdoses on the Island, with 44 of those deaths in Victoria, according to the B.C. Coroners Service. There were 555 reported deaths in B.C.
The overdose deaths were declared a public-health crisis in April. Many have been linked to the powerful opioid fentanyl.
> Read our series, On the Front Lines of Fentanyl
Under the proposal, two sites — 941 Pandora Ave. (next to Our Place Society) and 2920 Bridge St. (near the Rock Bay Landing shelter) — would be open to the public. They would have five to 10 booths open 9 a.m. to 3 a.m., seven days a week.
“Think of a hair salon,” Stanwick said. “The difference being the individual would be provided with safe harm-reduction supplies. They would have their own drug supply with them. They would be monitored by someone with medical training.”
There will also be a “chill out” area to make sure people don’t overdose after injecting, he said.
The third site will be at 844 Johnson St., in the former Central Care Home, converted to housing for homeless people from the courthouse lawn tent city when it was dismantled in August. It will be limited to residents.
“I think it’s a good idea and I think people will use it,” said Ken Prowse, who lives in the building and is not an injection drug user.
“It’s better than having people out on the street.”
Stanwick said he will seek $7 million out of the Island Health budget to fund the three sites as well as a potential supervised consumption site in Nanaimo and harm-reduction services across the Island and 31 treatment beds.
“Yes, it could mean we have to reprioritize [services] from elsewhere,” said Stanwick, adding it would be ideal if the province chipped in. So far, Island Health plans to staff all services.
Provincial Health Minister Terry Lake asked health authorities to submit applications for supervised consumption services for federal exemption by the end of this year. Lake and Stanwick called for rigorous federal requirements to be repealed because they impede access to life-saving services.
Part of the application process is public consultation. From now until Dec. 2 the public can provide feedback to Island Health through its website and two meetings next week at city hall and a Rock Bay church.
Stanwick noted the consultation will not decide whether the sites will exist, but rather how they can best fit in the community.
Jane Butler McGregor, chief executive officer of the Victoria Conservatory of Music, said she plans to attend the meetings. The music school is between both of the proposed sites downtown and has had increasing safety concerns for students.
“We understand that safe consumption sites in this neighbourhood are intended to improve the safety and health of this most vulnerable addicted population,” she said.
“However, it is crucial there also be funded recognition that public safety for everyone in this neighbourhood be of paramount concern including the businesses and residents who are paying taxes that help pay for these addiction and social services.”
The Society of Living Illicit Drug users reissued a list of demands for response to the overdose crisis, highlighting the need for interim crisis funding.
“It could take six months to a year before we see any of these proposed services come into effect,” said Jack Phillips, one of several society staff collecting and distributing illicit drug materials around the city each day.
“There is an incredible burden on community service providers right now to everyday do what any caring human would do to save lives. We need more help.”
Stanwick said he hopes the application for the supervised consumption services will be approved and operating in 2017.
The federal government has not given a timeline for the approval process, but one submitted for Montreal is in its sixth month.
Have your say
Public feedback for the proposed supervised consumption services will be accepted until Dec. 2 at the following:
• Email — scs@viha.ca
• Online survey — viha.ca/scs
• Public meetings — Nov. 22, 4-7 p.m. at Centennial United Church, 612 David St., and Nov. 23, 4-7 p.m. at Victoria City Hall, Douglas Street at Pandora Avenue
