No downside to a supervised injection site, says ex-addict
John Lavergne believes a safe injection site will help save lives
KITCHENER — John Lavergne lost eight friends last year. All of them died of an opioid overdose.
Six of them were in Waterloo Region. Three of them hadn’t used in months and had a relapse. They couldn’t tell their partners, friends or families they were using again.
They used alone and now they are dead, Lavergne said.
The Kitchener man says a supervised injection site would have helped them live.
“An overdose death is always a preventable death,” said Lavergne, 30, who injected heroin for 15 years.
He’s on methadone now and has been committed to the opioid as a way to combat his heroin addiction.
Lavergne said many in the community fear supervised injection sites and mobile
units but the sites are necessary to save lives.
Locally, the region is looking at opening two permanent supervised injections sites with one in central Kitchener and one in Galt.
A temporary mobile site is also being considered.
“Those who hold themselves to a higher standard need to do the right thing,” Lavergne said. “Let the community come on board later.
“There is no downside whatsoever,” he said.
Lavergne said supervised injection sites will serve two groups of people — those most at risk such as the homeless and those who relapse after being off drugs for a while.
It gives them a place to use the drug safely with supervision as well as inquire about issues that may be plaguing them, such as housing or counselling, he said.
“They can trust someone and not be judged. That is key,” Lavergne said. “They might not ask on the first visit but maybe the next time.”
Lavergne said the “shame and stigma” associated with using drugs is debilitating.
“People don’t choose to use fentanyl,” he said.
Born and raised in New Hamburg, Lavergne started popping pills at 15. He had depression and anxiety and wanted to feel good.
He moved on to opiates and in his 20s his full-blown habit had him stealing cars to get cash. He worked various jobs, including in restaurant kitchens, to earn money for his drugs.
“The fear of your bones turning to dust was more important than being on time for work,” said Lavergne, who dreaded the withdrawal symptoms and was often late for work trying to buy more drugs.
He lived in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver before returning to the region.
“It takes something to go right,” said Lavergne, explaining how he got off heroin. “Things just went right for long enough for me.”
Like many addicts, Lavergne was tired of feeling sick.
“You live on a clock. Every six hours you feel like you are going to die.”
Lavergne said the notion of hitting rock bottom is nonsense.
“The moment of clarity never comes. You need resources to move forward and (supervised injection) sites make services available.”