Supervised consumption sites still in limbo

Waterloo Region to continue process, but says model must include treatment, rehabilitation

WATERLOO REGION — The future of supervised consumption sites in Waterloo Region remains uncertain.

The province announced earlier this week that overdose prevention sites will continue after concluding its review, but that the model must shift to include treatment and rehabilitation.

“That’s always been a part of our proposal — to have a site with wraparound services,” said regional chair Ken Seiling.

Many questions remain for the region, which is in the midst of the process to find suitable sites in order to apply for provincial funding.

“We don’t know what it means yet,” Seiling said. “We just need more information.”

Seiling put forward a motion at a council meeting in mid-August, which passed unanimously, to pause the supervised consumption site selection process, following the provincial government’s announcement it was undergoing a review of the sites.

Public consultations the region scheduled for August and September were postponed. Staff were directed to develop a model for the centre, including treatment and support services to be offered, and also continue to review any other sites suggested.

Now, they’re trying to get further details from the province on its plan, and what is the region’s chance for getting a site.

Seiling is concerned that the province plans to cap the sites at 21, considering there are currently 18 and three in the application stage.

“They already have 21 sites,” Seiling said. “I don’t know where that places us.”

Existing sites need to apply to continue operating. Some sites could be closed, but then the process for deciding which communities are approved is unclear.

Seiling said it should be based on needs, not an arbitrary number.

“I think there are communities that need them,” he said.

That includes Waterloo Region. Public Health Ontario reports that the rate of opioid-related deaths in the region in 2017 is 15.4 per 100,000, compared to the provincial rate of 8.9.

For now, it’s unclear if the region should resume its site selection process, Seiling said. “I think the province needs to bring a bit more clarity.”

The region wants to open two sites — one in Kitchener and another in Cambridge — where paramedic calls for opioid-related overdoses are highest.

There are four possible sites shortlisted for supervised consumption services: 150 Duke St. W. and 115 Water St. N. in Kitchener, and 149 Ainslie St. N. and 150 Main St. in Cambridge.

Both Cambridge sites are in the Galt core, within the area included in an interim city control bylaw adopted in April banning supervised injection sites in the city’s three cores. A council amendment would be necessary for the region to continue with an application.