AIDS Saskatoon seeks government funding for safe consumption site

Saskatchewan’s first safe consumption site is looking for funding from the provincial government.

AIDS Saskatoon has requested $1.3 million to fund paramedics and support workers for the facility.

Executive director Jason Mercredi told Gormley why he thinks they need the money.

“We need to make sure that our paramedics are trained and they’re supported. If you’re not supporting them, they’re just going to be burning out,” he said.

He said the medical staff is a major help to those with addictions.

“We’re the first site in Canada to utilize paramedics in our supervised consumption room… their skill-set is actually best suited to preventing people from dying from an overdose,” he explained.

He also pointed to facility maintenance as a major cost.

“This budget is for a 24 hour, 365 (day) operation. So, consider how much it is to run a building, keep it heated while you’re keeping it staffed in the winter.”

The consumption site doesn’t yet have an opening date. Depending on funding, they’re aiming to start full operations next year.