NWHU releases Supervised Consumption Services Needs Assessment Report

Tim Brody - Editor

Supervised Consumption Services (SCS) would be beneficial in Sioux Lookout, Dryden, Kenora, and Fort Frances. That is the conclusion of a report released on April 13 by the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) which examines the need for SCS in these four communities. 
“The project began in early 2022, when NWHU hired an independent consultant to conduct a needs assessment due to increased interest from the public and partners and worsening local statistics for drug and opioid overdoses,” NWHU informed. 
“Supervised Consumption Services/Sites (SCS) are legally sanctioned spaces where people are allowed to use pre-obtained illegal drugs in a clean, safe, and supportive environment. No illegal drugs can be acquired on site,” NWHU explained on its website. “These sites are sometimes called Overdose Prevention Centres (OPC), Supervised Injection Facilities (SIF), Drug Consumption Rooms (DCR), or in Ontario, Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS).”

NWHU advised on its website that the goals of SCS are to:

• Reduce public drug use and improperly discarded needles in our community.
  
• Reduce overdose-related injuries and deaths.
  
• Reduce the risk of infections from sharing or reusing drug-use equipment.
  
• Increase access to healthcare and supportive services for people who use drugs.
  

“Overdose deaths more than tripled from 2019 to 2021 and the final numbers for 2022 are expected to be similar or higher than 2021,” explained NWHU Medical Officer of Health Dr Kit Young Hoon. 
NWHU explained that LBCG Consulting for Impact led the project, which included focus groups and interviews with key stakeholders, a survey for the public, and a survey for potential service users. 
“We hired an outside firm to conduct this work to ensure a range of expertise and dedicated time and resources to ensure a high-quality and objective process and final report,” Dr. Kit Young Hoon said. 
NWHU said that, in total, over 1,850 stakeholders were engaged in the project. “We want to thank everyone who participated and shared their knowledge and experiences. The feedback we received helped to make this project reflective of our communities and will help our communities move forward with community-based solutions.” 
NWHU next plans to, “discuss the issue with relevant local partners to further address the overdose crisis.” The full report and more information about supervised consumption services can be found on the NWHU website: Supervised Consumption Services Needs Assessment – Northwestern Health Unit (nwhu.on.ca).
“As community members, there are things the public can do to help with this issue, such as learning about local resources and connecting with local organizations working in this area. For more ideas visit our website Opioids in Our Communities (nwhu.on.ca),” NWHU concluded.