By Jill Sperling

Interior Health touts mobile supervised consumption sites as valuable service in recent study

Jan 17, 2019 | 9:47 AM

KAMLOOPS — According to a recent study by Interior Health, the mobile supervised consumption sites in Kamloops and Kelowna have been a valuable service, despite some operational challenges. 

The study compiled data from users and operators of the sites, which began operating in June of 2017.

More than 90 per cent of the clients surveyed claimed to have a positive experience with the service and safety of the mobile sites. 

“First, the evaluation showed that there was a need,” said Medical Health Officer Trevor Corneil. “In fact, not only was there a need, but the number surpassed what we were expecting. The second is the clients were satisfied, they really appreciated the service and benefited from its existence and its location. Third, we did learn some practical things, such as the hours could be longer, they could be adjusted to better match the needs of the clients.”

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The study also notes that service providers were unhappy with the amount of space available to properly aid clients. 

According to Corneil, Kamloops and Kelowna saw different results in terms of usage. 

Kamloops had fewer visitors than Kelowna. 

“In Kamloops we saw just over 1,800 visits in a 15-month period,” Corneil said, “whereas in Kelowna we saw upwards of 7,000 visits, which is a big difference. That did allow in Kamloops for more time for some of the community referrals that were made and some more time for primary care and support, and probably some more time for education around actually using and what supervised consumption really is.”