Protest planned over drug consumption sites
Proposed Cambridge locations too close to children, group says
A citizen-led group lobbying against two safe drug consumption site locations proposed for Cambridge is taking its objections to the street in a peaceful protest on Friday.
The protest will be staged at 150 Main St. in Galt from 5 to 9 p.m. The participants are also fighting against a second location proposed for a site at 149 Ainslie St. N.
Both locations under consideration by the Region of Waterloo are located too close to childcentred organizations, say members of A Clean Cambridge, which is organizing the protest.
Group administrator Mary Jane Sherman said the proposed Main Street location is close to Central Public School, and the proposed Ainslie Street location is currently home to the Cambridge Family Early Years Centre, which runs on-site programs for families with young children.
While she acknowledges the need to address the opioid crisis, Sherman argues the rights of children and families are being given lower priority.
“They’re trying to save the rights of people who are addicted and are suffering, and I get that,” she said, “but they’re taking away rights from the children.”
The Cambridge mother and daycare provider maintains parents are increasingly afraid to let their kids play outside for fear they might get stabbed by dirty needles.
She noted that outdoor exercise is more important than ever before to address child obesity and mental-health concerns.
While the protest is intended to get the attention of city and regional politicians, Sherman said organizers hope to raise awareness among those who aren’t following the supervised consumption site issue but should be.
“A lot of people in Cambridge still have no idea that this is even happening,” she said.
While concerns have been raised about the proposed site on Ainslie Street, administrators at the Cambridge Family Early Years Centre said the program won’t likely be at that location for much longer.
The centre, on the first floor of the two-storey building, is located just metres from The Bridges homeless shelter.
“We are moving to a new location by the end of the year or beginning of next year,” said child-care supervisor Brenda Dunnings.