Guest Column: More delays will mean more deaths
By Medicine Hat News Opinon on May 24, 2019.
In a recent letter, UCP Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes called on Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro to defund the city’s safe consumption services, and to re-open further consultation. These calls show not only a lack of understanding as to the integral role that supervised consumption services play within a comprehensive harm reduction strategy, but also a lack of responsibility to the individuals and families affected by the opioid crisis that Mr. Barnes was elected to represent. The site planned for Medicine Hat is one of the various lifesaving initiatives currently being adopted and put into operation in Alberta to deal with the escalating opioid crisis. The statistics are clear: Opioids are a present and growing public health issue within Medicine Hat – and one which demands immediate action. Between January and September 2018, Medicine Hat saw the highest rate of non-fentanyl related opioid deaths of any Alberta municipality. Despite Mr. Barnes’ desire for additional discussion, the consultation that occurred around the decision of this supervised consumption site has been extensive and thorough. More than two years ago, the provincial government tasked the seven harm reduction organizations covering the eight main regions in Alberta to determine need for supervised consumption services in their communities. In Medicine Hat, the process began by establishing the Medicine Hat Coalition on Supervised Consumption (MHCSC), a multi-stakeholder group made up of leadership from Medicine Hat Police Service, multiple departments from AHS, both addictions clinics in town, Medicine Hat Public Library, Medicine Hat Community Housing Society, and researchers from Medicine Hat College and the University of Calgary. A needs assessment survey was developed and used to survey 185 people who use substances to determine need, location, and potential uptake of services. The findings were used to conduct 10 focus groups with service providers in Medicine Hat, to allow a better understanding of their results. In April 2018, MHCSC met with municipal, provincial, and federal government representatives to gather feedback and inform them of their plans. Meetings and consultations also occurred with the Social Development Advisory Board and Chamber of Commerce. Public consultation began by sending 6,000 postcards to downtown households and businesses, and was followed by four public engagement sessions between June and July 2018. Between June and November 2018, more than 40 meetings and presentations were completed, with specific engagements occurring with the City Centre Development Agency (CCDA), downtown business stakeholders, Medicine Hat College, Medicine Hat Drug Coalition, City Council, City Municipal Planning, Palliser PCN, Miywasin Friendship Centre, the Canadian Mental Health Association, Medicine Hat Fire Services, EMS, South Zone Physicians, local businesses, residents, stakeholders and anyone willing to meet. Audience size ranged from two to 105 at a time. Following these public meetings, there were five public Q-and-A sessions between November and December 2018, along with ongoing work with city planning. The 502 South Railway St. location was chosen as a direct result of this combined consultation and engagement, as well as the epidemiological data surrounding overdose hotspots. The location was determined to be the best suited to create the greatest positive impact. Once the location was acquired, surrounding neighbours were invited to two information sessions. Their feedback was gathered to derive a safety plan and good neighbour agreement to mitigate their concerns. Individual meetings with nearby neighbours who did not want to attend a session were also completed. MHSCS followed these up with four more public Q and A sessions, and multiple presentations within departments of the City of Medicine Hat, including 911 dispatch, city transit, facility management, parks and recreations, and many more. MHSCS continues to regularly meet with community and coalition members to continue receiving feedback and consultation. Service organizations continue to work with MHPS Crime Prevention through Environmental Design; they have looked at the site and provided recommendations regarding site design to promote safety for both the individuals accessing the services, as well as the surrounding community. While safe consumption services are a subject area that is heavily stigmatized, it is still a strategy that saves lives; it is an evidence-based intervention and public health approach which should not be politicized. Thorough consultation has been done, and continues to be conducted by MHSCS and their affiliate organizations. For the government to open up the issue and start consultations anew, would be an unwarranted move in a moment when hesitation would result in even more lives lost. Sandra Azocar is executive director of Friends of Medicare, an advocacy organization that promotes the protection and expansion of public health care in Alberta. 10-9
