Two new sites for supervised injection services
110 people have died of illicit drug overdoses in Vancouver this year, from January 1 through to September 30, 2016.
As part of our ongoing response to the overdose crisis, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) announced on Monday that we have submitted applications to Health Canada for two new supervised injection services in Vancouver, where the life-saving service will have the most impact in the public health overdose crisis. The applications are required to receive a federal exemption under Section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, to legally operate supervised injections services such as Insite (which has had an exemption since 2003).
Dr. Patricia Daly, Chief Medical Health Officer
“The majority of overdoses in Vancouver are in the city centre and the Downtown Eastside. We want to provide this life-saving service where it’s needed most and where it will save the most lives,” says Dr. Patricia Daly, Chief Medical Health Officer, VCH.
The proposed services would be embedded into facilities where existing health care services are already being offered — at the new Downtown Eastside (DTES) Mental Health and Substance Use Drop-In Centre – Powell Street Getaway (528 Powell Street) and the Heatley Integrated Health Centre (330 Heatley Street).
Supervised injection is part of VCH’s DTES Second Generation Strategy and one component of a comprehensive response to the provincial public health emergency that includes preventing overdoses, encouraging less harmful drug use, and providing treatment options for people with substance use disorders.
“Incorporating supervised injection into the care of clients addicted to illicit drugs helps prevent overdose deaths, infections, and the spread of disease such as HIV and hepatitis C, while at the same time engaging vulnerable people in other health care services including mental health, withdrawal management and addiction treatment,” says Laura Case, Chief Operating Officer, Vancouver Community. “Once clients become more engaged with the health care system, they are more likely to pursue detox, addiction counseling and addiction treatment services.”
Once Health Canada has approved the submissions, VCH will implement the new services. VCH is also planning to submit future additional applications for supervised injection services including a women’s-only location.
Click here for more information about Supervised Injection Services and read Monday’s News Release here.