An overdose prevention site is expected to open in P.E.I. in 2023. Here are five things to know about it
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CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A survey of people who use medication has discovered the overwhelming majority would commonly go to an overdose prevention website if one was obtainable in P.E.I.
The survey, performed by the P.E.I. authorities and overseen by chief public well being workplace hurt discount co-ordinator Shawn Martin, was performed to assist the province decide what kind of service mannequin the province would implement at an overdose prevention website (OPS).
The federal government of Dennis King made a public dedication to fund the institution of an OPS in March of 2021.
A public tender for an operator of the overdose prevention website closed on Dec.16. Whereas the profitable bid has not but been publicly recognized, the tender states an “execution” of the service is slated for Jan. 31, 2023.
Listed below are 5 issues to learn about what the province heard from these with lived expertise of utilizing medication. The survey was performed between Could and September of 2022.
1. Most would use the service no less than as soon as weekly
Of the 55 people surveyed, who had used an unlawful drug within the final six months, 48 (or 87 per cent) mentioned they might go to an overdose prevention website no less than as soon as per week or extra.
Greater than half (53 per cent) mentioned they might go to an overdose prevention website as soon as a day or greater than as soon as a day.
2. Most mentioned an OPS was wanted for both security causes or to cut back overdose threat
The survey used a thematic evaluation to categorise responses. Twenty-two particular person individuals (40 per cent) talked about their security as a cause why they could go to an overdose prevention website. A report ready by Martin famous no less than one particular person answered “security, so I don’t die” when requested for the explanation she or he would go to an OPS.
One other 15 people (27 per cent) introduced up the danger of overdose as a consequence of potential contamination of the drug provide.
Widespread contamination of North America’s drug provide has meant the present opioid epidemic is very lethal. With out authorities helps like an OPS or drug-checking companies, people who use illicit medication typically don’t have any method of verifying what they’re taking.
Different causes cited for the necessity for an OPS included the necessity for a non-judgmental setting, the necessity for secure drug provides to stop infections and the assistance supplied with different well being companies akin to addictions remedy.
3. Most individuals who use medication have used them in public locations.
All people surveyed mentioned that they had used medication in a public place no less than as soon as within the final six months. This included a road, a park, a public washroom or elsewhere.
A major variety of people additionally reported they used medication in non-public areas, akin to a household or pal’s residence (33 or 60 per cent), a car (30 or 55 per cent) or their very own residence or home (24 or 44 per cent).
A report detailing the survey’s findings famous that use of those medication in non-public areas carries dangers as nicely.
“You will need to observe that the majority of those contributors should still profit from an OPS,” the report famous. “For instance, utilizing substances alone is a key threat issue for overdose loss of life, and will be addressed by way of supervised consumption.”
4. Most want to see an OPS centrally positioned in Charlottetown
Over half of respondents (28 or 51 per cent) mentioned they want to see an OPS positioned within the Euston-Longworth space of Charlottetown, also called Ken’s Nook.
One other 18 (33 per cent) recognized downtown Charlottetown as the popular location.
The report famous that responses usually indicated a desire for an OPS location that may be a brief strolling distance from assist companies like shelters, the Neighborhood Outreach Centre, the soup kitchen and the Queen Avenue restoration clinic.
Many contributors within the survey (18 or 33 per cent) additionally expressed a desire for a neighborhood OPS to be operated 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Nevertheless, the CPHO report additionally famous “only a few” overdose prevention websites in Canada are open 24/7, even in massive cities.
5. A minimum of two native non-profits have put in bids
SaltWire Community has confirmed no less than two native organizations, PEERS Alliance and the Native Council of P.E.I., have mentioned they plan to submit bids to function an OPS in Charlottetown.
Each organizations have intensive expertise in working with the province’s inhabitants of people who use medication, and each have been vocally advocating for an OPS for years.
Stu Neatby is a political reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. He will be reached by e mail at [email protected] and adopted on Twitter @stu_neatby.
