Public health advocates in Saskatoon are planning to open a facility where drug users can more safely inject illegal drugs. It would be the first of its kind in Saskatchewan.
AIDS Saskatoon announced Monday that it will apply for an exemption from federal drug laws that would allow it to create the âsupervised consumption siteâ near St. Paulâs Hospital.
supervised consumption sites already exempted across Ontario, Alberta, Quebec and B.C., but none in Saskatchewan.
Some critics argue that safe consumption sites harm addicts by making it easier for them to consume. Others raise concerns about issues like discarded needles.
the sites save lives by preventing overdoses and reducing the spread of HIV. Saskatchewan has the countryâs
Jason Mercredi of AIDS Saskatoon says the majority of the cityâs drug users are hooked on crystal meth, but there are also problems with opioids and crack cocaine.
âAnd weâre starting to see increases in fentanyl being cut into the drugs which is one of the impetuses for why weâre trying to do this initiative right now,â he told CTV Saskatoon.
So far, the proposal has gained the support of some key allies â the local police service, an area MP and the cityâs mayor.
Mayor Charlie Clark said the decision to approve the site rests with the federal government but the city will provide support.
"We will be working with the oversight in terms of ... a community stakeholders group and the police will be involved,â he said.
Clark said the city also plans to âlearn from where these things have created some challenges in other communities,â in order to have âthe best possible outcome.â
Saskatoon West MP Sheri Benson, a New Democrat, said she âwholeheartedly supportsâ the plan.
Mercredi, meanwhile, says heâs confident that site will be approved.
âWe have very good support from a lot of organizations that work in this sector so we know that the needâs there,â he said