By James Peters

IH applies to Health Canada for supervised drug consumption sites

Jan 13, 2017 | 3:56 PM

KAMLOOPS — Interior Health announced today it has applied to Health Canada for permission to operate supervised drug consumption sites in both Kamloops and Kelowna.

The sites would be mobile, meaning they could move to areas where drug consumption is taking place.

The new venture represents an attempt to stem the overdose crisis that saw more than four times as many overdose deaths in Kamloops last year than in 2015.

Health Minister Terry Lake says the decision was made after consultation with stakeholder groups, including local businesses.

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“Today was about talking to the stakeholders involved. We know historically that businesses, paricularly, have had concerns about supervised consumption sites, and I think we really need to ensure that the businesses in Kamloops, as well as the people of Kamloops understand the benefits,” said Lake.

The Kamloops North Shore Business Improvement Association has expressed vocal opposition to the idea of setting up a consumption site on the North Shore.

“Our data shows that in Kamloops, overdoses are occurring most often in both the North Shore and downtown areas,” said Dr. Trevor Corneil, Chief Medical Health Officer with Interior Health. “A mobile service is the best way to make supervised consumption services accessible in the areas where it is needed most.”