Katrina Milaney
Katrina Milaney’s research influenced the opening of a supervised drug-consumption site at the Sheldon M. Chumir Centre, but the assistant professor at the University of Calgary’s medical school says that’s just one step in helping the vulnerable in this city.
“We’re living in a bit of a difficult situation right now with the fear of funding cuts and actual funding cuts,” Milaney said. “Typically, those kinds of decisions impact those who are vulnerable already . . . (and) we often see an increase in demand for services.
“My hope is that, in the bigger picture, decision-makers look really closely at good evidence when they make their decisions, not opinions or fear . . . . We have to make informed decisions when we’re messing around with people’s lives.”
Born and raised in Calgary, Milaney has been at the U of C for nearly six years. She previously worked for 10 years as a researcher and political analyst for community organizations.
“Any time I go into a research project, I go in with the intention of proposing some kind of change, either to a policy or a program,” she said. “A lot of work I do is understanding people’s experiences to help me understand where our systems are broken.”
When Health Canada asked a coalition of community groups to do a needs assessment for a supervised consumption site in Calgary, Milaney took the lead. She surveyed 370 substance abusers about their health needs, pattern of abuse and whether they would use the site.
The report, in conjunction with other data, led to the Chumir venue.
“All of my work is done with community partners because that’s where the innovation happens,” Milaney noted. “It doesn’t happen in my office. It happens out in the world, where people are living and working in all kinds of social situations and social issues.
“We have some great collaboration happening in Calgary from several sectors. If health and police are at the table, they’re grappling with the same issues and they’re looking for solutions to bridge those cracks that people fall into.”