June 26, 2017
Dr. Nick Etches speaks to media about the importance of supervised consumption services in Calgary.
Story and photo by Lisa Sutherland
CALGARY — In a bid to reduce opioid deaths, an application to offer supervised consumption services at Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre has been made to Health Canada by Alberta Health Services (AHS) along with Alberta Health, the City of Calgary, Calgary Police Services and the community-led Calgary Coalition on Supervised Consumption.
“Supervised consumption services help save lives and build safer communities,” says Dr. Nick Etches, Medical Officer of Health, Calgary Zone, AHS.
“Alberta Health Services is committed to working with our partners in providing evidence-based harm-reduction programming that has been shown to reduce overdose deaths, transmission of disease, public substance use, and discarded needles.”
AHS will consult with staff, residents, business owners, healthcare partners and health providers to learn about supervised consumption services, share questions and perspectives, and give feedback, beginning the end of June.
“We need the support of staff and our community to help address the opioid crisis. We cannot do this alone and it will not happen overnight.
“AHS has an ethical responsibility to provide evidence-based, compassionate care to all Albertans,” adds Dr. Etches. “Addiction is a medical and social issue, and those who are opioid dependent are part of our communities and families.”
Supervised consumption services give people the option to use drugs in a monitored, hygienic environment to reduce harm from substance use, while offering additional services such as counselling, social work and opioid-dependency treatment.
Last year, 343 people in Alberta died of an apparent overdose.
Reducing harm related to the use of drugs, including alcohol, requires a multifaceted approach, including awareness, prevention, treatment, harm reduction and addressing organized crime.
Supervised consumption services are part of a range of evidence-based services that support prevention, harm reduction and treatment for Albertans living with substance use challenges
To learn more about AHS’ plans for supervised consumption services, or to get involved in community conversations, please visit stopods.ca.
