19 agencies call for Calgary supervised consumption site to relocate closer to shelters
A letter signed by 19 agencies that provide addiction treatment and services for individuals experiencing homelessness is calling for Calgary's only supervised consumption site to be moved to locations near shelters.
It comes just under three weeks after the province announced it is closing Safeworks — located at the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre — in favour of two new sites, in more appropriate locations.
The letter was addressed to three cabinet ministers, including the associate minister for mental health and addictions.
It said that supervised consumption sites have to be located closest to where clients need them, in context with additional supports such as mental health services, detox and recovery-oriented services.
"My ultimate hope would be for there to be two (supervised) consumption sites. One downtown, hypothetically speaking (at) the Drop-in Centre and another one possibly at the Alpha House where detox is right there," said Earl Thiessen, executive director for Oxford House Foundation, which offers pre-treatment and recovery housing.
Thiessen says he supports harm reduction as a continuum of care which can lead to a recovery-based model, but the location of the Safeworks site is not well situated for the people it serves.
He added that additional services need to be readily available for clients.
"Not just hand them a pamphlet," he said.
"Ask them to come in for a discussion when they're ready."
The letter adds the issue is a growing one and staff are "already reversing large numbers of overdoses on a daily basis within our sites and off-site in nearby parks and streets."
The issue of fatal drug use has been exacerbated by the pandemic, with 228 deaths reported in the province as a result of accidental overdose in the first few months of this year.
In 2020, there were 1,144 opioid-related deaths in the province — an 83 per cent increase from 2019.
The Beltline location for the harm reduction service has come under fire by the local business community. In May, the province announced it will be closed, with the services being moved to more appropriate locations.
CTV news received a statement from Justin Marshall, press secretary for Jason Luan, the associate minister for mental health and addictions.
"We appreciate stakeholders coming together in support of a common direction. We agree with the sentiments in the letter and look forward to working together to continue improving the system for Albertans," it reads.
"We will be relocating the existing supervised consumption site, which has been highly disruptive to the neighborhood, and instead add SCS capabilities within existing partner organizations' situated in more appropriate locations.
"While we cannot announce those locations quite yet, they will be situated much closer to those who need such services. We will have more to say in the future, but rest assured that the Sheldon Chumir site will not close until the new facilities are operational."
Shaundra Bruvall, communications and fundraising coordinator with the Calgary Alpha House Society says they are "pleased to see that the letter we signed has received positive sentiments from the Government of Alberta."
Correction
An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre supervised consumption site was closed in July 2020. The site remains open and it was the ARCHES supervised consumption site in Lethbridge that was closed in July 2020.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.