CALGARY -- Alberta has applied to Health Canada to set up a safe injection site at a health centre in downtown Calgary.

Having a site at the Sheldon Chumir Health Centre has the support of Mayor Naheed Nenshi and police Chief Roger Chaffin.

Nenshi says he hasn't always been a supporter of safe injection sites, but the evidence suggests they save lives.

Associate Health Minister Brandy Payne says people who live near the health centre will be consulted about the proposal.

Alberta Health Services says 152 people died from fentanyl overdoses last year in Calgary.

So far this year, fentanyl has killed 49 in Alberta's largest city.