Survey finds support for safe injection site: AIDS Saskatoon

A proposed safe injection site for drug users doesn’t appear to bother residents in Saskatoon’s Pleasant Hill neighbourhood, according to AIDS Saskatoon.

The organization announced Wednesday it had completed its community consultation process, after first suggesting the operation of a safe injection site at 1516 20th St. W. in February.

Executive director Jason Mercredi said 263 residents in Pleasant Hill completed a survey on the prospect of the site, and 74 per cent of those who responded said they were in support of the project. Another 11 per cent said they were neutral, while 15 per cent were opposed.

“Across the board, people were supportive because they see the need for it in the community,” Mercredi told 650 CKOM.

The safe injection site would provide drug users with clean needles in order to consume illegal substances in a safer manner, under the supervision of health professionals.

AIDS Saskatoon has argued the site would reduce HIV infection rates, and would provide a direct access point to guide addicts towards support services.

Wednesday’s announced survey results also incorporated the reasons why people said they either supported or opposed the project.

The numbers showed 50 per cent of Pleasant Hill residents noted they like the idea of drug users having a space to discard their needles, so not as many are thrown on the ground outside.

Mercredi noted while he was door-knocking in the community, an interaction with a grandmother and her grandchildren opened his eyes to how aware kids are of the drug situation in the neighbourhood.

“The kids came out of the woodwork and were saying, ‘We see needles all the time, they’re at the school and over in the park,’ ” he said. “It was pretty shocking to hear them talk so openly.”

As for concerns, 21 per cent of those who answered the survey expressed worries about a potential increase in violence, crime and gang activity.

Another 16 per cent were concerned about increased drug trafficking, while 12 per cent were worried about the potential impact on the reputation of Pleasant Hill.

Mercredi said AIDS Saskatoon is committing to daily needle patrols to clean up any discarded needles in the Pleasant Hill area. The organization also is meeting regularly with Saskatoon police to co-ordinate community safety initiatives around the safe injection site, if it’s approved.

With community consultation complete, the proposal for the site will now be submitted to the federal government. It must provide a special permit to AIDS Saskatoon to allow for illegal drug consumption on its property without legal repercussions.

The process is expected to take several months, with a back-and-forth conversation with federal officials.

Despite the surveys being complete, Mercredi emphasized that AIDS Saskatoon is still welcoming any dialogue about the facility.

“If people are wanting to meet with us, we’re more than happy to meet,” he said.