First of its kind in the province of Ontario, London’s temporary overdose prevention site has celebrated being open for one year. Over the course of the year, around 13 000 visits were made to the site.
The staff of the site is marking the milestone by lighting a candle in the safe injection room. The candle will burn for the lives lost to overdoses, but also the lives saved at the site.
“I like to think 13 000 visits to not only be for overdose prevention. It is also an HIV prevention strategy, it’s a hepatitis C prevention strategy. We’re also linking people to addictions treatment, withdrawal management, primary care, and other services that marginalized folks need,” says Brian Lester, executive director of Regional HIV/AIDS Connection.
Staff reversed 77 overdoses with the counteractive drug, naloxone. Lester stresses how vital the site has been to the London community ever since the doors opened up a year ago.
“When I think about the fact since we’ve opened last February, we’ve saved so many lives now from overdosing or dying from opioid poisoning, every one of those lives is valuable and we’ve been able to make an impact in that regard.”
The site on 186 King Street remains temporary for now and a permanent site remains up in the air. Planned permanent sites have the ability to offer more capacity and more superior prevention services than the current temporary site. The plan is to keep the temporary site running until a permanent site can be reached.
“We’re working with the ministry of health and long-term care to continue the service. They made a very public commitment to not interrupt public services. So, I’m feeling hopeful London will benefit from that commitment,” said Lester.
Overdose antidote naloxone
Funding for the temporary site runs out on March 31 though. Lester is worried of the implications that may come if the site has to close down because of funding running out.
“The idea that this service would not be available in our community means people are going to die, they’re going to die in their homes, they’re going to die on the streets, and they’re going to die in parks. That is very concerning.”
The next step to keep overdose prevention in London, is to take the rezoning application to the city planning committee.
“There is an appeals process to the rezoning application that has to go through London planning appeals tribunal. We are waiting for a date for that hearing and we’re hoping that will land in our favour. This appeals process remains to be seen, but that’s to then allow us to open this site at 446 York Street.”
Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliot announced $31 million a year to fund 21 treatment facilities. How much funding out of the $31 million London gets remains unknown.
