Calgary Presses Alberta Government for Action on Supervised Drug-Use Site
Calgary’s Mayor Jyoti Gondek has intensified calls for the Alberta government to address escalating concerns surrounding the city’s sole supervised drug consumption site at the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre. Highlighting the site’s inefficacy and associated public safety issues, Gondek emphasizes the urgent need for a decentralized approach to harm reduction services.
Centralized Model Under Scrutiny
Since its inception in 2017, the Chumir Centre’s supervised consumption site has faced criticism for its centralized model. Mayor Gondek points out that drug poisonings are occurring citywide, rendering a single-location strategy inadequate. She advocates for a more distributed model to effectively address the widespread nature of substance use and its associated risks.
Provincial Response and Tensions
The Alberta government’s stance, as articulated by Mental Health and Addictions Minister Dan Williams, emphasizes a transition towards recovery-focused services. Williams references the Alberta Recovery Model as the province’s solution to the addiction crisis, aiming to replace existing consumption sites with services centered on health, recovery, and community wellness.
Mayor Gondek, however, expresses frustration over the perceived lack of concrete action and consultation from the province. She underscores the necessity for clear provincial plans before any decisions are made regarding the future of the Chumir Centre’s services.
Advocates Call for Comprehensive Harm Reduction
Amid these debates, healthcare advocates are urging the government to enhance harm reduction strategies. The record number of drug poisoning deaths in Alberta underscores the critical need for immediate and effective interventions. Advocates stress that while recovery services are essential, they must be complemented by robust harm reduction measures to prevent further fatalities.
Source : Swifteradio.com
