AIDS Network in talks with landlords for injection site

The aspiring operators of Hamilton’s first permanent supervised injection site for at-risk drug users are looking for a landlord to host the life-saving service.

The AIDS Network had initially expected to submit applications to the provincial and federal governments for the facility by the end of February.

But this week, executive director Tim McClemont said the paperwork hasn’t been finalized as the network continues to search for a place to host the site.

“We are currently in discussions with potential landlords,” McClemont said in an email.

The AIDS Network said in early February it hoped to house a permanent supervised injection site, as well as a temporary overdose prevention service, at its 140 King St. E. location.

But landlord Effort Trust has rejected that plan. “It wasn’t something that we proposed. It isn’t something that we’re proceeding with,” vice-president David Horwood said Thursday.

Horwood said the Hamiltonbased development and property management firm had “serious concerns” about the AIDS Network’s plan for Effort Square.

The building, which has offices, apartments and a hotel, has a 100,000-square-foot tower and 60,000-square-foot plaza.

“There’s a tremendous student population in our building, as well,” Horwood said, adding the firm feels “fairly strongly” an injection site “raises more concerns than we can manage.”

The AIDS Network already offers harm-reduction services, including a needle exchange, at Effort Square. “We have an interest because we serve that population already,” McClemont said in February.

A permanent, stigma-free setting where people can inject illegal drugs, such as fentanyl and heroin, under the supervision of trained staff is seen by those on the front lines of the city’s opioid crisis as a service urgently needed to help stem a tide of overdose deaths.

The road to a city councilbacked safe injection site has involved considerable lead-up, with public health conducting a study and a poll to gauge support.

A number of sites are operating in major and smaller cities across the country.

They require federal exemptions under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to operate, but rely on provincial funding.

This week, the Shelter Health Network said it is pursuing a temporary overdose prevention site to help fill the gap in Hamilton. That application was submitted to the province April 9.

“People understand that this crisis is upon us and that this has to happen. There is urgency to this,” said Dr. Jill Wiwcharuk, the lead physician of the umbrella organization that includes local health care and social service agencies.

McClemont said the AIDS Network supports the application. “We are pleased that Dr. Jill and the Shelter Health Network are working toward the establishment of a temporary OPS to address this crisis and save lives. We have agreed to be a partner with them by assisting with program needs.”

He didn’t respond to requests for additional comment.

The Shelter Health Network’s effort recently hit a snag involving zoning and building permit issues relating to its plan to set up a trailer in a downtown municipal parking lot for six months.

Wiwcharuk said the organizing team would opt for a suitable storefront in the area should a willing landlord emerge.