Marci Marshall, president of the Centre View Condo Association, discusses at a Wednesday public meeting concerns about the location of a proposed safe consumption site.--NEWS PHOTO EMMA BENNETT
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
Organizers of Wednesday’s public meeting about supervised consumption are calling it a success.
“I thought the meeting went well. It was great to be heard by the government officials in attendance,” said Marci Marshall, president of the Centre View Condo Association, homeowners located adjacent to the site at 502 S. Railway St., who arranged the meeting that attracted about 200 people.
“I don’t feel that we will truly be heard until we hear from the health minister of Canada that they take our concerns seriously, and Alberta Health addresses the significant issues that these sites bring to neighbourhoods throughout the province,” said Marshall.
Reports of a 276 per cent increase in calls to Calgary police for drug-related issues near the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre, which includes supervised consumption, raised concerns for local police chief Andy McGrogan, along with residents and businesses near the coming site.
Leslie Hill, executive director for HIV Community Link, which has been given the responsibility of opening and operating supervised consumption in Medicine Hat, responded to concerns and questions raised Wednesday night at the meeting.
Hill said some consumption sites in the province were established in a hurry to quickly address the number of fatal drug overdoses. More time has been taken in planning this one, she said.
“I am keenly aware of what is happening at the Sheldon Chumir Centre,” said Hill.
Hill also said she has talked with Calgary police to gain an understanding of the issues they are facing in an effort to try to avoid the issue here. There will also be a site team member to liaise with the community regarding any concerns or issues that may arise.
For Marshall, and the condominium community she represents, there is still a feeling that HIV Community Link has not understood their concerns.
“We have been heard to some degree, but it is apparent that although (they) hear our concerns, they find a way to justify their lack of consultation at every turn – and in fact, us hosting the meeting was the biggest opportunity for us to be heard, not through any action of theirs,” said Marshall.
On Wednesday night a petition asking Health Canada to delay approval of the site until further community consultation is done was available to sign.
“We have 75 signatures so far – with more to come in from some businesses in the area,” said Marshall.
“Unless they want these sites forced into their neighbourhoods next, they need to join us on writing to our government officials with our concerns, and vote for the party that will represent your voice in the election this spring,” said Marshall.
“I think it speaks volumes that with one week of planning we were able to bring together several dignitaries and over 200 people to one meeting, that’s how important this issue is to people.”
