Supervised Consumption Services Feasibility Study

What is the Consumption and Treatment Services Study? (formerly called 'Supervised Consumption Services')

The Consumption and Treatment Feasibility Study is being conducted to determine if Consumption and Treatment Services are needed in Waterloo Region. Consumption and Treatment Services are being considered because research shows they:

• Prevent fatal overdoses

• Help people access treatment for substance use and other health and social services

• Reduce sharing of needles and the spread of blood-borne infections including HIV and hepatitis C

• Reduce drug use in public areas

• Reduce improper disposal of needles in public places

To legally operate a Consumption and Treatment Service, an exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act must be received by the Federal Minister of Health. An application for an exemption must include information to support the need for consumption and treatment services and how they will be operated.

The purpose of the study 

The purpose of this study is to:

• Determine the demand for consumption and treatment services in Waterloo Region.
• Determine the extent to which consumption and treatment services are seen as helpful to Waterloo Region by the broader community.
• Uncover any concerns the community may have about consumption and treatment services being implemented in Waterloo Region.
• Determine the extent to which consumption and treatment services are judged as suitable, satisfying, or attractive to program deliverers and intended users.
• Determine the extent to which consumption and treatment services can be integrated within existing harm reduction services in Waterloo Region.
• Determine the extent to which harm reduction services in Waterloo Region can be enhanced to provide consumption and treatment services.
• Determine potential locations for consumption and treatment services that are accessible to the intended users and ensure safety for staff, intended clients, and neighbourhood residents and business owners.

Study Timeline 

What is the timeline for the project?

• Waterloo Region Supervised Injection Services Feasibility Study – Completed February 2018
• Public Feedback Sessions – Completed March/April 2018
• Report to Community Services Committee: Phase 2A Results – June 19th, 2018

Who is involved? 

A Supervised Consumption Services Feasibility Work Group was formed to provide expert advice on the approach to explore supervised consumption services in the Waterloo Region. Group members were recruited from a variety of backgrounds and professions, including:

• Public Health staff
• Harm reduction service providers
• Community service providers
• Housing representatives
• Waterloo Regional Police Services
• Community members with lived experience

For information or questions about the feasibility study, please contact:

Grace Bermingham, Manager, Information, Planning and Harm Reduction, Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services; Gbermingham@regionofwaterloo.ca

Project Updates 

Consumption and Treatment Services Update

Community Services Committee of Regional Council has endorsed community consultation on the following candidate locations for Consumption and Treatment Services:

• 150 Main Street, Cambridge
• 115 Water Street North, Kitchener
• 150 Duke Street West, Kitchener
• 105 Victoria Street North, Kitchener (vacant lot at corner of Weber and Victoria)

People who live or have businesses within 250m of an identified site will receive a letter in the mail inviting them to an invite-only consultation session. This is to ensure that people who are closest to a location have an opportunity to identify potential benefits, concerns, and mitigation strategies. Registration is required.

There will be two public consultation sessions in Kitchener, and two in Cambridge. These are open to the general public to speak about any of the locations under consideration. To attend a public session, simply click on the date below that works for you to be directed to the registration page.

There is also an online survey available to provide input should you not be able to attend a session or you would like to provide information this way in addition to attending a session.

Link to online survey: https://surveys.regionofwaterloo.ca/cts

Should you require assistance registering for a consultation session, please contact 519-575-4400 ext. 5613 for assistance.

For updates and news on the Feasibility Study, please visit Region of Waterloo Public Health's Supervised Consumption Services webpage.