It's 'unfortunate' P.E.I. pauses safe injection site plans, says harm reduction advocate

The organization that runs a supervised injection site in New Brunswick says their work is saving lives and it's disappointing P.E.I. has decided not to open a similar site for now.

P.E.I. health officials said in a standing committee meeting on Wednesday that the provincial government has put plans for a supervised injection site on hold and will instead focus on strengthening existing harm reduction initiatives.

Meanwhile, in Moncton, a supervised consumption site has been operating since 2021. It is run by harm reduction charity Ensemble Moncton.

Josue Goguen, the site's coordinator, said the facility has intervened in more than 300 overdose situations over the years, and it provides a safe space for folks who are often marginalized and don't have anywhere else to go where people can feel respected.

"That's really, really unfortunate," Goguen said of P.E.I.'s decision not to move forward with a similar site.

"Overdose prevention sites help people. I think it's easy to politicize this into kind of a divisive issue, but it's really a healthcare issue."

'It's helped me a lot'

Ryan Clements, who is originally from O'Leary, but now lives in Moncton, also disagrees with the P.E.I. government's decision.

Clements, who is homeless, relies on Ensemble's supervised injection site.

He said he's heard complaints about discarded needles and public drug use on the Island and he believes a supervised consumption site could help address those concerns.

 The Moncton supervised injection site has been a lifeline for him and others, Clements said.

"It's helped me a lot. Like, I can come to a safe place and know that I can use and there's workers on site, and if I OD, then they're there to help me out."

While he's aware that P.E.I. has harm reduction programs that provide clean supplies, he said, there's still no designated safe space for people to use drugs which leaves them at risk of overdosing alone with no one to reverse the effects by administering  naloxone.

The idea for the first supervised consumption site in P.E.I. was first discussed four years ago, but there has been little development toward establishing one.

Public opposition to the site and proposed locations has presented challenges, with the most recent proposal, near the Park Street Emergency Shelter, being voted down by Charlottetown city council in the fall of 2023.

Saving healthcare resources

Goguen said the overdoses that have happened at the Moncton site were prevented from becoming fatal. Without the facility, he said, people might be using alone in dangerous places like back alleys or behind dumpsters.

"We provide that safe space, people are able to inject more carefully. They don't feel rushed so they can test it. So a lot of people are able to be more careful when they use their substances."

Beyond saving lives, Goguen said the site also reduces pressure on emergency responders and the health-care system overall.

"When an ambulance comes here, they can do a call in half the time because we've already reversed the overdose, and we are here to keep an eye on them, so they don't have to transport them to the hospital unless it's very serious."

The facility also helps reduce the spread of bloodborne infections like hepatitis and HIV by providing clean supplies, such as needles, and a hygienic space for drug use, he added.

"Not everyone sees or understands our role in the community and the benefits of it. But overall, I think we've had a positive response."

For Clements, he said, addiction has been a struggle.

Being homeless makes it even harder, as he's constantly surrounded by the temptation to use, he said.

"I'm hoping in the near future I'm going to stop."