OTTAWA, May 26, 2017 /CNW/ - Our government remains committed to combatting the current overdose epidemic and to taking swift action that will help save the lives of Canadians. Responding to this crisis requires a whole-of-society approach. No single action is going to put an end to the mounting number of overdoses occurring across the country, and it is crucial that we work together and continue to explore new ways to help us reverse the course of this crisis.
Today, Health Canada approved the operation of four new supervised consumption sites – two in Surrey, British Columbia, one in Vancouver, British Columbia and one in Montreal, Quebec:
International and Canadian evidence shows that, when properly established and maintained, supervised consumption sites save lives without increasing drug use or crime in the surrounding area. The evidence also shows that they decrease infections and the transmission of communicable disease, and can also decrease the use of emergency departments, as well as hospital admissions related to injection drug use.
Bill C-37, which received Royal Assent on May 18, streamlines the application process for supervised consumption sites, without compromising the health and safety of clients, staff, or the surrounding community.
Our government's approach to this crisis is, and must be, comprehensive, collaborative, compassionate, grounded in sound evidence, and firmly dedicated to saving lives and protecting the health and safety of Canadians.
The Honourable Jane Philpott, P.C., M.P.
SOURCE Health Canada
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Today, Health Canada approved the operation of four new supervised consumption sites – two in Surrey, British Columbia, one in Vancouver, British Columbia and one in Montreal, Quebec:
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- Lookout Society Powell Street Getaway, Vancouver, BC (applicant: Vancouver Coastal Health Authority)
- Quibble Creek Sobering Assessment Centre, Surrey, BC (applicant: Fraser Health Authority)
- Lookout Society – 135 A Street, Surrey, BC (applicant: Fraser Health Authority)
- Mobile supervised consumption site (applicant : Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux [CIUSSS] du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal)
International and Canadian evidence shows that, when properly established and maintained, supervised consumption sites save lives without increasing drug use or crime in the surrounding area. The evidence also shows that they decrease infections and the transmission of communicable disease, and can also decrease the use of emergency departments, as well as hospital admissions related to injection drug use.
Bill C-37, which received Royal Assent on May 18, streamlines the application process for supervised consumption sites, without compromising the health and safety of clients, staff, or the surrounding community.
Our government's approach to this crisis is, and must be, comprehensive, collaborative, compassionate, grounded in sound evidence, and firmly dedicated to saving lives and protecting the health and safety of Canadians.
The Honourable Jane Philpott, P.C., M.P.
SOURCE Health Canada