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Windsor-Essex's first supervised consumption site, SafePoint, set to open April 26

Following the approval of Health Canada on April 14, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is ready to open a new facility, SafePoint, designed for the supervised consumption of substances. Open house tours of the site will be on Thursday and Friday.

Facility received Health Canada approval on April 14, WECHU says

CBC News ·
Several booths with chairs behind desks.
Supervised booths are provided at SafePoint at 101 Wyandotte St. E., where individuals can use substances in a controlled environment. (Jennifer Le Grassa/CBC)

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) announced Wednesday the opening of a new facility, SafePoint, for the supervised consumption of drugs. 

The health unit said it received approval from Health Canada on April 14 following a successful site inspection in early March. SafePoint will officially open to users on April 26. 

Local health officials have been working towards bringing this resource to the community for seven years. 

A banner reading SafePoint to the right with journalists inspecting the facility to its right
The facility is the first of its kind in the Windsor-Essex region. (Jennifer La Grassa/CBC)
The facility will offer a supervised space where people with a drug addiction can consume substances on site. It will also offer preventive services, harm reduction equipment, drug checking services, and connections to mental health and social services. 

The new facility will host open house sessions on Thursday and Friday.

Dr. Ken Blanchette, CEO of WECHU, said this is to ensure trust with stakeholders and communities. 

"Engagement with residents, businesses and other stakeholders in our downtown core has guided the long process to bring this site to fruition, and this is one of the many ongoing opportunities to bring keep this engagement going," Blanchette said in a news release. 

A man in a blue suit stands behind a podium next to a banner reading "SafePoint."
Bill Marra, president and CEO of Hôtel-Dieu Grace who's shown at a news conference Wednesday, says, 'Those suffering from addiction need compassion while navigating their journey to recovery.' (Jennifer Le Grassa/CBC)

WECHU also announced a new partner that will oversee the facility's day-to-day operations of SafePoint. Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, a mental health and addiction service, is set to establish staffing, emergency response and connections to treatment at SafePoint. 

"Those suffering from addiction need compassion while navigating their journey to recovery," said Bill Marra, president and CEO of Hôtel-Dieu Grace. "We look forward to working close with the health unit and other partnering agencies to ensure this site is a success."

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