Kitchener supervised consumption site receives Health Canada approval

The Region of Waterloo has received Health Canada approval to open a supervised consumption site and an interim site in Kitchener.

The region received notice of the approval last Friday, Chair Karen Redman says. They've shared the news with community partners.

"We're really thrilled that that has now happened," Redman said.

The region has approved 150 Duke St. W. as the site for an interim and permanent site. The federal government had to approve an exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in order to allow people who attend the site to use illegal drugs.

This will be the region's first supervised consumption site. There is one already in Guelph. There are talks to open a site in Cambridge, although the city is still working on finding a location.

On Tuesday, Redman said work on the interim site continues.

"Our assumption was it would be a little speedier than it's been," she said, but it is expected to be opening in "a matter of weeks, not months."

An interim site won't receive any provincial funding, but Redman said it was important to members of regional council to move forward with it.

"Many people in our community are losing patience and they're frustrated people are dying," she said.

The region is working with the province to secure funding for the permanent site. That site is expected to take about six more months to open.

Staff with public health are expected to provide an update to councillors at the Aug. 13 community services committee meeting.