Consumption site has resulted in reduced drug use in other areas

POLICE COMMISSION RECEIVES UPDATE ON SITE

The City’s supervised consumption site continues to have an effect on the downtown core, the Lethbridge Police Commission heard on Wednesday.

Insp. Jason Dobirstein told the Commission the overall response to the supervised consumption site has been positive in the core — in particular, there has been a visible reduction in drug use in the areas of the Lethbridge Public Library, Park Place mall, Lethbridge Centre and the homeless shelter.

“Members of the Downtown Policing Unit in particular have been encouraging those engaging in drugs in the downtown to attend the site for their safety and the safety of their community,” Dobirstein said.

During discussion, he was asked if statistical data was being collected on the amount of usage at the consumption site. The hope is that the data could be used to quantify the impact of the site.

“Actually, this is one of the first sites in Canada,” Dobirstein said. “So, I know as they were planning (the site), there was a lot of researchers very interested. I think you will find there is going to be a lot of research done around the site. It’s the first one in North America where smoking is allowed, and it’s one of the first ones in Canada outside the lower mainland of B.C.”

The commission was told that as of Wednesday morning, there had been 196 unique individuals with 1,728 visits, and 1,988 substances were consumed in the site since opening. In addition, there has been a reduction in the number of needles handed out by 7,000.

“They are obviously handing them out in the shelter, but, in the long run, we’ll see less of them on the street,” said Dobirstein.

Dobirstein said the feeling among officers in the Downtown Policing Unit is they are still finding many drug users who are not comfortable using the site.

“They still operate privately rather than go to that venue,” he said. “We’re trying to do our part to encourage (using the site).”

“The consequence is that we have a job to do when it’s in the public eye, and there are people who are going to have to face those consequences. So we would definitely prefer they go there.”

Dobirstein was asked about a potential reduction in property crime in the downtown core following the opening of the site, but said it is still too soon to tell. He noted the request and said police will continue to watch for any changes.

Additionally, the Police and Crisis Team, although part time, continues to receive a large number of referrals and has been able to reconnect some PACT individuals with services both inside and outside the community. “They are a busy team,” Dobirstein said. Follow @JWSchnarrHerald on Twitter