The Consumption and Treatment service (CTS) is a health service that provides a safe and hygienic environment where people bringing pre-obtained drugs can pop, snort or inject drugs under the supervision of medical staff. Staff does not supply drugs. Learn more here.

Treatment options such as the following are also available to people who access the CTS:

• Immediate access to individual and group counseling

• Referrals to withdrawal management and medication replacement therapy (like methadone and suboxone)

SUPERVISED CONSUMPTION SITE

Somerset West Community Health Centre believes that every person deserves access to health services. We have been offering a needle exchange and other harm reduction services for 20 years. We have one of the largest and longest-running harm reduction programs in the city.

We are expanding our services to vulnerable residents to include a small-scale supervised consumption service. This means that people who use substances can do so under supervision.

WHY OPEN A SUPERVISED CONSUMPTION SITE (SCS)?

Ottawa Public Health data shows that Somerset Ward has the second highest rates in Ottawa of drug overdose, hepatitis C and HIV. We must acknowledge and address that people who use drugs live and work in our community.

At a supervised consumption site, people who use drugs also receive other health services, including:

• Computer and phone access, clothing and other basic needs.

• One-on-one support to help people find the resources they need. This can include basic needs like food, housing, and dental hygiene. Also navigating the legal system, mental health system, and the medical system.

• Help to develop healthier approaches to life. This could include healthy eating and reducing how often they smoke.

• A peer program that sees people not just as accessing services, but people who also have skills and knowledge, and can help deliver services.

• Our medical walk-in clinic, primary care, HIV testing.

ARE THESE SERVICES SAFE?

Yes. Supervised consumption sites are safe. Studies show that supervised consumption sites do not increase crime.

Somerset West Community Health Centre has offered a clean needle exchange and other harm reduction services for 20 years. We have offered these services without any increase in neighbourhood crime or complaints of people finding needles.

Somerset West is creating a safer neighbourhood by making it possible for drug use to take place in a safe environment where drug paraphernalia can be disposed of responsibly.

Supervised Consumption Site at Somerset West

HAVE YOU CONSULTED THE COMMUNITY?

Yes. We held several public consultation sessions in March 2017 to obtain feedback from the community on our proposed model for delivering a SCS.