When it comes to a critical tool in the fight against London’s opioid drug crisis, local residents have made their voices heard. The Middlesex-London Health Unit released today the report by the Centre for Organizational Effectiveness on public consultations about Supervised Consumption Facilities (SCFs). The data was gathered from 334 people who took part in nine consultations held in November; as well as the more than 2,000 responses to an online survey and four focus groups that included 56 participants representing the Indigenous community, peers and professionals. The report is an important component of the application that will be made to the Federal Government to sanction one or more SCFs in London.
Among the research findings was that the majority of consultation participants want to support those addicted to opioid drugs. The report shows that 90% of survey respondents identified decreased drug-related deaths and injuries, in addition to a reduced risk of infectious diseases, like hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS, as key benefits of establishing an SCF. While participants also shared concerns about securing adequate funding and potential negative impacts on community reputation and safety, only one percent of survey respondents felt there were no benefits associated with SCFs.
“We’ve known for some time that people who are facing addictions want and need access to supervised consumption facilities. Now we have data from the community that will help guide the development of these facilities,” says Shaya Dhinsa, Manager of Sexual Health at the Middlesex-London Health Unit.
“I am confident that we will be able to implement the vast majority, if not all of these recommendations. It’s incredibly helpful to know that saving lives and ending the cycle of addiction are ideas that are widely supported in our community,” says Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at the Middlesex-London Health Unit.
The report’s recommendations include a call for multiple and/or mobile SCFs in the city, as well as co-locating the facilities with existing health and/or social services agencies and respecting neighbourhood needs and concerns. These suggestions recognize that the current crisis is being felt widely across the city and highlight the importance of creating an integrated service model that links to wraparound support, treatment and rehabilitation for those who are among the community’s most vulnerable people.
The Health Unit worked in collaboration with the London-based Centre for Organizational Effectiveness to develop and conduct the community consultations, focus groups and online survey. Data analysis and recommendations were developed independently by the Centre for Organizational Effectiveness. The summary report of the consultation process is available for download at www.healthunit.com/opioids.
While planning continues for one or more permanent SCFs in London, another instrument in the fight against local opioid crisis will soon be in place. Ontario’s announcement in early-December of an expanded response to the current situation has paved the way for communities facing mounting drug-related issues to obtain exemptions for the establishment of temporary sites while they await decisions on permanent SCFs. The application for a Temporary Overdose Prevention Site (TOPS), the first to be made in Ontario, was submitted to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term care on January 12th, by the Health Unit and its partners. The location of London’s TOPS will be announced at a news conference later this week.
For more information about opioid drugs and the local crisis, visit www.healthunit.com/opioids.
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit 519-663-5317 extension 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)
Spokespeople:
Shaya Dhinsa, Manager, Sexual Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit
Maria Sanchez-Keane, Principal Consultant, Centre for Organizational Effectiveness