A year and-a-half ago, Boyle Street Community Services was asked by the provincial government to identify areas in the city where it thought additional resources were required..One of those areas is in Old Strathcona which has residents in south-central Edmonton starting a petition to stop a safe consumption and injection site in their community.."Based information provided by AHS and Edmonton Fire and Rescue on calls for service on overdose prevention and drug poisonings, we identified four areas in the city that we felt required additional services," Jonathan Harline, communications team lead for Boyle Street Community Services said.."Downtown, 118 Ave, Jasper Place, and Strathcona. Approximately eight months ago, the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions provided us with a small grant to explore an overdose prevention site in Old Strathcona.".READ MORE: Old Strathcona residents in Edmonton oppose safe injection site in their neighbourhood.The amount of the grant provided by the Alberta government was $130,951.."It was executed in spring 2022," Colin Aitchison senior press secretary for Mental Health and Addiction said..The community members who started the petition against the proposed site said there are many issues that must be addressed with safety concerns.."The facility is a proposed site and we do not as of yet have a licence to operate," Harline said.."That licence is provided by the provincial government and is issued based on various regulations, including a commitment to community consultation as well as ongoing relationships with police.".Harline noted the building is not open and requires some renovations as it's currently an old hair salon.."We would be happy to tour you through the space should we receive our licence and once renovations are complete," Harline said.."This site will not be providing drugs, and does not constitute a safe supply site.".Harline said the provincial government regulations regarding Overdose Prevention Sites require they actively work with those accessing the site to provide them with pathways into recovery.."Our hope is that those accessing the site are using drugs less frequently, more safely, and are moving towards healthier lifestyles," Harline said.."We have peer support workers as well as medical staff on-site to meet these goals."
