A hospital is the right place for a supervised injection site

Re: Galt community split over supervised injection site — April 5

Saving people from an opioid overdose and possible death should happen 24 hours a day, not just during hours of operation at a supervised injection site.

There is much controversy about whether an SIS will do damage to a community or downtown core. The concerns range from public injecting, personal safety, declining property values, elevated drug use, drug trafficking, crime and needle litter.

Waterloo Region’s public health department insists that public injecting and needle litter will be reduced with an SIS. Is that possible when an SIS is only open eight hours a day?

If we are really serious about harm reduction, why do it on a part-time basis?

Hospitals are open 24-7. They provide privacy and reduce stigma. Doctors, counsellors, social workers and mental health supports are present. There would be savings on ambulances and duplication of services, and recovery models and treatment could also be provided.

Furthermore, an SIS in a hospital setting will accelerate awareness and champion harm reduction, treatment and recovery for the long term. Edmonton’s Royal Alexandra Hospital just opened a supervised consumption site.

Regional counsellors needs to lobby the government of Canada to come up with sustainable, long-term solutions and funding for hospitals that will help make life-changing differences in the current opioid crisis.

Addiction to substances including opioids and alcohol is a leading cause of death in Canada. However, many hospitals don’t have addiction treatment centres and, as a result, harm reduction isn’t being championed within the walls of a hospital. If we really are serious about harm reduction, it must be 24/7 in a hospital.

Cindy Watson Cambridge