‘Disappointing:’ Safe consumption site left out of provincial budget yet again

“Disappointing” and “unfortunate.”

That’s what Kayla DeMong, executive director of Prairie Harm Reduction, said about the organization being left out of Saskatchewan’s provincial budget, which was released Wednesday.

“For the fourth year in a row, it’s really disappointing that the provincial government does not see the safe consumption site as something worth investing in,” DeMong said.

She said the responsibility now falls on the community and local businesses to help keep the doors open. DeMong said Saskatoon has already provided an outpouring of support through financial donations, by sharing social media posts, and by purchasing merchandise to help ensure the site stays open.

To operate the site 24 hours a day, DeMong said the organization would need $1.3 million per year. It takes about $500,000 each year to keep the current hours – 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Conversations between Prairie Harm Reduction and the provincial government have taken place. DeMong said she met with Everett Hindley, Saskatchewan’s minister of mental health and addictions, last fall.

She will be returning to the conversation in another meeting April 4, DeMong said, but this time with representation from the Regina safe consumption site and a group of medical students.

“At this point, I don’t have much hope,” DeMong said.

There are about 700 individuals who access the safe consumption site each year, DeMong said, and last year the site saw almost 5,000 visits.

“This continued dismissal of the services by the province really just shows no regard for the quality of life for those 700 individuals,” she said.

650 CKOM has reached out to the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions for comment.