The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) and Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) are thrilled to announce new partnerships and support which, pending approval through formal processes, will allow the creation of two permanent Supervised Consumption Facilities (SCF) and one mobile facility in London.
The partners will host two neighbourhood meetings next week, and others in the future. The planned information sessions are specific to the City of London’s planning process and are consistent with Council’s policy of consulting residents, businesses and property owners within 120 metres of a proposed location. Letters to neighbours within that radius of 241 Simcoe Street and 446 York Street were mailed out on Friday, April 20th.
In addition to the two physical sites being proposed, the partners have also applied for a Federal Exemption to allow for a mobile SCF. The plan would be to have the vehicle make stops at specific locations in Old East Village, SoHo, Downtown and other areas, as support from affected neighbourhoods comes forward. Downtown London, the Old East Village BIA and the SoHo Community Association have written letters of support for the mobile SCF.
“Having reviewed several proposals over recent weeks, we are very confident that this is the best plan to serve the community,” said Dr. Chris Mackie. “No location is perfect, but together, these will help improve safety in these neighbourhoods, and also help save lives and get people connected with crucial services such as housing, mental health support, and addictions treatment.”
“Since we opened the doors to the Temporary Overdose Prevention Site in February, we’ve seen a lot of positives at our 186 King Street office,” says Brian Lester, Executive Director of Regional HIV/AIDS Connection. “That includes lives being saved by the direct intervention of staff, and more than 1,700 incident-free visits by people who would have otherwise been using in parks, back alleys and stairwells around the city.”
The neighbourhood meeting for 241 Simcoe Street will be held at the Middlesex County Building, located at 399 Ridout Street North on Thursday, April 26th at 4:00 p.m., while the meeting for those living and working in the vicinity of 446 York Street will meet in the same location starting at 6:30 p.m.
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit,
519-663-5317 ext. 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)
Spokespeople:
Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health and CEO, Middlesex-London Health Unit
Brian Lester, Executive Director, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection