Hospitals say no, region continues research into safe consumption sites

Next steps for safe consumption sites presented From CTV Kitchener’s Nicole Lampa: Officials presented next steps in deciding the final locations for safe consumption sites.

A report from the Region of Waterloo has provided updates on the proposed supervised consumption and treatment sites.

Among these is the fact that the region’s hospitals will not host the services.

According to Patrick Gaskin, CEO of Cambridge Memorial Hospital, a lack of space due to ongoing construction meant that the hospital would not be able to accommodate the services.

In its report, the Region of Waterloo said sites that were considered would need an approximate size of 2,000 square feet to accommodate other services.

Space constraints were also cited as reasons by Ron Gagnon and Marco Terlevic, CEOs of Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital, respectively.

Location was another concern for GRH and St. Mary’s—according to 911 calls, the most impacted areas of drug overdose were in Central Kitchener and South Galt.

As such, the region continued to research the remaining four propose sites it outlined in August.

Those sites are:

150 Duke Street West, Kitchener

115 Water Street North, Kitchener

105 Victoria Street North, Kitchener

150 Main Street, Cambridge

In August, the region also identified 149 Ainslie Street North, Cambridge as a possible site.

That site was ruled out over design challenges based on its layout.

A series of neighbourhood and public consultations will follow in late January and early February, followed by an online survey.

The region will apply for a federal exemption for these sites and will be responsible and accountable for them.

There will be no federal funding for any sites that become active.