Region looks at 3 locations for supervised drug injection sites

Kitchener and south Cambridge are being looked at as possible locations for supervised injection sites as public health officials presented findings of a supervised injection site feasibility study to regional council Tuesday.

Throughout the second half of 2017, the study conducted interviews among a wide group including 146 people who inject drugs, service providers and focus groups. An online survey was opened for community feedback, which had over 3,500 responses.

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A key finding of the study showed that an estimated 4,000 people in Waterloo region inject drugs, almost half on a daily basis. 

"How we came up with that number came from looking at the number of unique users that use needle syringe programs across the regions," Grace Bermingham, manager of harm reduction for public health told CBC K-W's Craig Norris, host of The Morning Edition.

"[Numbers] are comparable to other communities who have done this work, so not entirely suprising."

Kitchener and south Cambridge have been identified as possible locations for supervised injection sites, mainly because there were more incidents of opioid related overdose in those areas of Waterloo region.

Service providers and focus groups stressed the importance of having more than one site. The study showed there's fear that a single location could stigmatize an area. Also, a neighbourhood could change with more people moving into that area to access services.

A possible third mobile option is also being recommended to address needs in other areas.

"Some of the concerns are around a permanent site and what the impacts might be from that," Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovich told CBC News.

"If a mobile site is the preferred mechanism, even though it may not be as effective initially, it may be the right way to go as a stepping stone to deal with the overall problem."

Majority would use supervised injection sites

Most of the 146 individuals surveyed who are injection drug users — 86 per cent — expressed that they would use a supervised injection site if available.

Main reasons cited were:

• Access to clean supplies.
• Access to health care services.
• Prevention of  overdoses.

However, some said they wouldn't use a supervised injection site because of the stigma and shame that comes with drug use and addiction.

"They were worried about being seen," Bermingham said. "They were worried about people knowing they were an injection drug user and they were worried about their name not remaining confidential." 

Support and disagreement

The study showed that overall, there is "substantial support" for supervised injection sites. 

Stephen Gross from the Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre told council he is fully supportive of having supervised injection services in the region.

"What we know is that this is a 'people issue' and these are members of our community and we need to find ways to work and support them as effectively as possible," he said.

Others felt that supervised injection sites are not the approach the region should take.

"Supervised injection sites are not proven elsewhere to be of great benefit," Dan Clements with For a Better Cambridge told CBC News.

"They tend to result in issues for the local community around supervised injection sites. 80 per cent of opioid deaths are among people who would not be using a supervised injection site. There's far more progressive, leading edge approaches."

Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig agreed his community does not want a supervised injection site. 

Next steps

The study was as information at Tuesday's committee meeting. Council and public health workers will schedule public sessions in March for the community to give feedback on the study's findings. 

Council will make a decision in April on whether or not to move forward with Phase Two of the study, where staff will identify actual locations for supervised injection sites.