Safe consumption site now in new temporary location
A safe consumption site is offering its services to people from a new and temporary location, while construction on its permanent home is completed.
Carepoint Consumption, Treatment, and Harm Reduction Services set up a trailer on June 28 outside its future home, the former John Bellone music store, at 446 York Street.
Construction on the new site has been delayed, with pandemic and supply-chain issues pushing back the move-in.
“Our goal is for it to be [ready] by the end of this year,” said Megan Van Boheemen, Carepoint’s harm reduction services manager. “Construction is working really hard to get this state-of-the-art facility up and running as quickly as they can.”
The trailer is fully staffed for consumption purposes, said Van Boheemen, with four team members there throughout the day. That includes medical professionals like paramedics. Its needle and syringe program is at the Middlesex London Health Unit, while administrative duties happen off-site for the time being.
“Our staff does an amazing job at meeting people where they’re at and providing life-saving services,” she said.
The new site is right across the street from the Men’s Mission facility, but a neighbourhood business told CTV News London that clients have caused problems.
“Disaster. Very bad,” said Elyas Samano, who owns the nearby Piccadilly Motors body shop.
He acknowledges the challenges many of those clients face, but says the neighbourhood is leaving a bad impression for his customers.
“Those people are addicted, it’s very hard,” he said. “You see your property damaged, break-ins, burning cars. Lots of stuff.”
Carepoint tries to combat stigma against people using its services through education, said Van Boheemen.
“It’s a proven fact that harm reduction saves lives,” she said. “We’re responding to overdose on a regular basis. This service is required.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.