SUPERVISED CONSUMPTION SITES

by the Opioid Poisoning Committee

April 8, 2022

View our policy recommendations here

What is a supervised consumption site?

A supervised consumption site (SCS) is a safer place where people can go to use drugs instead of using outside or by themselves. There are trained staff on site to help in case someone has a medical or poisoning emergency. An overdose prevention site is the same thing, but is legally granted by the province rather than the federal government. These sites can be stand alone locations or embedded within another agency or living space. The size can be large or small.

Why should we have supervised consumption siteS in Alberta?

They help save lives, provide a safe space for people, and help prevent the spread of disease. It is another way for people to connect with health and social services.

How do people benefit from an SCS?

With trained staff on site, there is an excellent chance of preventing death from poisoned drugs or medical emergencies related to their use. No one has ever died from a poisoning while in an SCS. When people can be treated right away on site, this greatly reduces the number of calls made to EMS and reduces the number of people who need to go to the hospital. People who come to an SCS get support from their peers and staff, building a relationship of trust. It decreases their isolation and increases their options. They can access housing support, medical care and can get help entering treatment programs, if they wish. People who use an SCS use their drugs in a safer way so there is less spread of viruses like HIV and Hepatitis C. Neighbourhoods have experienced less needle debris when a SCS is close by.

All of this sounds great! How can we get more supervised consumption sites?

  • The provincial government should take action based on a regular review of statistics on drug poisoning deaths, hospitalization and emergency room use, as well as the latest research related to SCS.

  • The provincial government needs to review what neighbourhoods the deaths are occurring in and the calls to EMS are coming from to determine where to locate SCSs. The more we have, the more people we can help!

  • Local organizations and community groups need funding so they can create the programs suited to the people they help. This is especially important for those working with specific groups of people such as women, immigrants and Indigenous populations; what they need may be a little different.