Overdose Prevention Service Hours Extended

Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) Expands Hours to Address Community Need

Since last month’s closure of two downtown Supervised Consumption Sites (SCS), Harm Reduction Outreach Workers and Emergency Services have reported an increase in overdoses taking place in public spaces.

“With the SCS’s closing people who use drugs have been left without the support they need to prevent fatal overdoses,” states Kelly White, Manager of Harm Reduction Services at Street Health. “Street Health’s supporters recognize the urgency to offer more service hours and beginning today our OPS is providing evening service. These additional hours create greater access and safety for people who rely on the often toxic and unpredictable street drug supply. It also means access to nursing care and harm reduction supplies, all of which are essential components for our clients to maintain their health.”

Since 2018, Street Health has operated an OPS as part of their healthcare services for people who are homeless or lack secure housing. While the site was defunded in 2019, the service has continued thanks to concerned community groups and donors. Street Health’s OPS has supported more than 16,500 client visits, distributed thousands of Naloxone kits and reversed over 400 overdoses.

“The toxic drug crisis has claimed 56,631 lives across Canada since 2016, but no one has ever died at a SCS / OPS site,” highlights Matt Johnson, OPS Supervisor. “These sites are truly lifesaving and offer nonjudgmental, accessible care.”

“As of today, Street Health’s OPS is open an additional 15 hours each week,” reports White. “Street Health is seeing the need daily with staff responding to 20 overdoses outside the site in the local community just in June. Fewer sites means that drug overdoses will demand the support of already overcrowded emergency departments.”

With 40 years expertise as a community healthcare provider, Street Health continues to demonstrate that access to nonjudgemental, low barrier services is the right way to deliver community safety.