Pubdate: Mon, 21 Nov 2016
Source: Hamilton Spectator (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 The Hamilton Spectator
Contact:  http://www.thespec.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/181
Author: Matthew Van Dongen
Page: A6

84 PER CENT BACK SAFE INJECTION SITE

The city has found a funding partner to help study if Hamilton should
offer supervised injection sites for drug users.

A report that goes to councillors this week says the anticipated
$250,000 cost of a study can be cut to around $90,000 thanks to a
proposed partnership with a health program and institute at McMaster
University.

The report also shows 84 per cent of 1,690 respondents to a community
survey supported the idea of having a supervised injection site in
Hamilton.

If council signs off on paying for the study, it would begin next year
- - but likely wouldn't provide a recommendation until early 2018.

Advocates have been calling for faster adoption of a supervised
injection site in the wake of a growing number of overdose deaths
linked to opioids, particularly fentanyl.

A recent hospital study found Hamilton to be a provincial hot spot for
opioid deaths.

Coun. Matthew Green called the latest progress by public health "an
incredible start."
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MAP posted-by: Matt