London, ON – In the face of the on-going drug crisis affecting London and Middlesex, the Middlesex-London Health Unit has developed a business case for Supervised Consumption in London. The document will be presented at this week’s Board of Health meeting.

This business case identifies the gaps in the current system and their impacts. It also shows how supervised consumption facilities (sometimes inaccurately called “safe injection sites”) can help reduce healthcare costs, improve neighbourhoods, and generate improved health outcomes, including saving lives and reducing the spread of infections such as HIV. The report cites research data from supervised consumption facilities around the world, and presents the local context that led to the opening of London’s temporary overdose prevention site and the applications for two permanent and one mobile supervised consumption sites.

“In the seven months since the temporary overdose prevention site opened, we’ve seen tremendous successes, not just in the lives saved, but also in the connections that have been established between clients and agencies that provide additional services,” says Dr. Christopher Mackie, Medical Officer of Health and CEO of the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “We’re already seeing positive dividends for our community and we know the impact of the permanent facilities will be even greater.”

Work on the business case began before the opening of London’s Temporary Overdose Prevention Site (TOPS) in February, 2018. However, since being opened, local data related to the site is demonstrating results that are consistent with the research gathered from sites around the world, including:

• Connecting 150 TOPS clients to addictions treatment in the first 150 days of operation;
• Reversing 31 overdoses at TOPS, with staff members saving 31 lives; and
• A reduction in new HIV diagnoses despite an increase in testing.

The TOPS has also been announced as a finalist for the 2018 Pillar Community Innovation Awards in the Community Collaboration category. The TOPS partnership draws on staff and expertise from the Health Unit, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection, the London Intercommunity Health Centre, Addiction Services of Thames Valley, the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre, and London CAReS. The collaboration is also eligible for Pillar’s Community Choice Award. Voting is open until November 2nd at: www.pillarnonprofit.ca/communityinnovatioawards.

Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit,
519-663-5317 ext.2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)

Spokesperson:
Dr. Christopher Mackie, Medical Officer of Health and CEO, Middlesex-London Health Unit