Pubdate: Wed, 20 Jul 2016
Source: Surrey Leader (CN BC)
Page: 3
Copyright: 2016 Surrey Leader
Contact:  http://www.surreyleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1236
Author: Jeff Nagel
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Supervised Injection Sites)

DRUG USE SITES PART OF STRATEGY ON OVERDOSES

Fraser Health will quickly identify priority sites for supervised 
drug consumption as part of a broader strategy to contain a surge in 
illicit drug overdoses.

Surrey is certain to be one of the proposed locations, but health 
authority officials aren't yet saying if they will also propose sites 
in other drug-troubled downtowns such as Langley City, Maple Ridge 
and Abbotsford.

"We're at early stages of identifying priority communities and having 
initial conversations, dialogue and engagement with municipalities," 
said Dr. Victoria Lee, Fraser's chief medical health officer.

Health authority officials made the announcement after a sudden surge 
in overdoses in the north Surrey area, with 43 recorded over the weekend.

Lee said sites will be chosen based on where the most benefit is 
possible, using data on overdoses, as well as fatalities from the 
B.C. Coroners Service.

Vancouver has B.C.'s only two supervised injection sites so far, but 
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority has indicated it will seek up to 
five more, while other health authorities are expected to pursue them 
in cities such as Victoria, Kelowna and Kamloops.

Fraser Health had not before signaled its intent to pursue supervised 
consumption sites, so named because they serve not just injection drug users.

It's not expected to be a speedy process.

Under the federal Respect For Communities Act passed by the former 
Conservative government, proposed consumption sites seeking an 
exemption must be backed by extensive documentation, including 
support letters from the local municipality and police force.

Some public health officials - notably provincial health officer Dr. 
Perry Kendall - have called for the repeal of the federal legislation 
and expedited approvals, but for now the law stands.

"Fraser Health intends to work very closely with our municipalities 
to reach out and to ensure that there's engagement and dialogue in 
place to successfully apply for the exemption," Lee said, adding that 
process has begun in some cases.

"We have engaged with some of the communities, such as Surrey, where 
we have seen significant increases in the need for that service."

Even more modest harm reduction strategies have at times been 
controversial among Fraser Valley politicians.

Supporters say supervised use sites greatly reduce fatal overdoses 
and the spread of infectious disease among users, while also 
providing an avenue to connect those at risk to services that could 
help transform their lives.

Opponents believe they have the effect of entrenching drug use in 
communities and favour a less tolerant approach.

Health Minister Terry Lake supported the push for new supervised 
sites after the declaration of a public health emergency this spring 
as the number of fatal overdoses climbed.

An emailed statement from the health ministry says supervised 
injection services such as Insite in Vancouver are proven to save 
lives, reduce disease spread and connect users to other services, 
such as detox.

"We view these as public health issues, and harm reduction programs 
like supervised injection services are a key part of our 
evidence-based approach," said the ministry statement.

It says any new supervised sites must have support of all levels of 
government, the community and other stakeholders.

"Given the recent spike in overdoses in Surrey and the current public 
health emergency - this is a discussion that needs to take place. It 
appears that the new federal government recognizes the health 
benefits of supervised injections services and is much more 
supportive of such facilities than the previous administration."

Fraser Health says its recently approved overdose prevention and 
response strategy goes far beyond supervised sites.

"There is no single solution to the public health emergency we are 
facing," Lee said. "It is a complex concern that requires a 
multi-faceted approach to prevent overdoses, encourage safe 
consumption, and provide treatment options."

The region last fall began increasing the number of take-home 
naloxone kits provided to overdose patients who end up in emergency 
departments. All 12 emergency departments are now registered to 
dispense the antidote kits.

Officials say 857 take-home naloxone kits were dispensed via 
emergency department staff, public health units or community partners 
between January and May, a 10-fold increase from 2015.

Lee said Fraser will also continue region-wide efforts to equip 
at-risk populations and their friends and family with naloxone, 
including the use of police and fire departments, BC Housing and 
other organizations.

Also promised are public awareness campaigns targeting different 
types of drug users and better supports to improve access to opioid 
substitution such as suboxone.

No overdose victims from over the weekend died, but some were 
admitted to hospital and Lee said they've required up to six times 
more naloxone than usual to reverse their overdoses - a sign highly 
potent drugs are involved.

"While people believe that they may be taking crack cocaine, it's 
actually fentanyl that's coming back positive as well as crack 
cocaine," she said.

There have been 127 overdose deaths in the Fraser Health region in 
the first six months of this year.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom