The Middlesex-London Health Unit and several of its partners will announce details about the location of London’s first proposed Temporary Overdose Prevention Site (TOPS). The opening of the TOPS in London is pending approval of the application the Health Unit submitted for the site on Friday, January 12th. Once operational, the TOPS will provide those who use injection drugs with a temporary location where they can use those drugs under supervision and be monitored in order to prevent overdose deaths.
In early-December, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care recognized the public health emergency caused by Ontario’s opioid crisis and asked the federal government to allow the province to approve and fund overdose prevention sites. The search for a suitable TOPS location in London began as an immediate response to that provincial announcement.
PLEASE NOTE: Innovation Works is the location of the announcement and not the site of the proposed TOPS
What:
Announcement of the location of London’s first proposed Temporary Overdose Prevention Site
Speakers:
- Matt Brown, Mayor, City of London
- Blair Henry, Harm Reduction Case Manager, Regional HIV / AIDS Connection
- Brian Lester, Executive Director, Regional HIV / AIDS Connection
- Dr. Christopher Mackie, Medical Officer of Health and CEO, Middlesex-London Health Unit
- Andy McLean, Harm Reduction Support Worker, Regional HIV / AIDS Connection
- Tanya Park, Councillor, Ward 13
- John Pare, Chief, London Police Service
- Linda Sibley, Executive Director, Addiction Services of Thames Valley
- Leslee White-Eye, Indigenous Leader, Opioid Crisis Working Group
When:
Friday, January 19th, 2018, 11:00 a.m.
Where:
Innovation Works
London Life Solutions Lab
201 King Street
London, ON
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit,
519-663-5317 ext.2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)