The Middlesex London Health Unit is looking for community input as it tries to deal with London's drug crisis.
It has launched an online survey and announced the dates of a series of public meetings with an eye toward the possibility of setting up safe places for drug users to consume narcotics.
“The misuse of opioid drugs has claimed thousands of lives across the country over the last decade, including nearly 400 deaths in our community alone. In contrast to the decline in the provincial HIV infection rate, the rate in our community is climbing due to injection drug use,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie in a statement released by the health unit. “Supervised Consumption Facilities, like those already established, have been shown to help address public health issues, while also reducing public drug injection and needle waste. Our community needs Supervised Consumption Facilities and we want your advice on how best to achieve that.”
The public consulation meetings will be held throughout November.
• November 7, Marconi Club, 120 Clarke Rd. 6:30pm to 9pm. • November 8, Canada Games Aquatic Centre, 1045 Wonderland Rd. 6:30pm to 8:30pm. • November 13, BMO Centre, 295 Rectory St. 6:30pm to 9pm. • November 15, Goodwill Centre, 255 Horton St. 6:30pm to 9pm. • November 21, Byron Recreation Centre, 1308 Norman Ave. 6:30pm to 8:30pm. • November 27, South London Community Centre, 585 Bradley Ave. 6:30pm to 8:30pm. • November 28, Middlesex County Building, 399 Ridout St. North. 6:30pm to 9pm. • November 29, Stronach Community Recreation Centre, 1221 Sandford St. 6:30pm to 8:30pm. • November 29, Stoney Creek Library, 920 Sunningdale Rd. E. 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
The online survey can be found here.
The health unit says more information about the drug crisis and the approaches to it that have been taken so far can be found here.
