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Kitchener-Waterloo

Region adds 2 more possible locations for supervised consumption site

Waterloo region has added two more possible locations in Kitchener for the region's supervised consumption site.

Additional locations are on Kent Avenue and Duke Street in Kitchener

CBC News ·
Person holds injection kit
An injection kit is shown at a supervised injection facility in Vancouver. Calgary's first safe consumption site, has attracted more than 42,000 visits since it opened over a year ago. The Alberta government has frozen funding on additional new safe injection sites pending a government review. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)

Waterloo Region has added two additional candidate locations in Kitchener for the region's supervised consumption site (SCS), according to a regional report to be presented Tuesday.

Staff recommend 33 Kent Ave. and 150 Duke St. as additional locations for consideration. The two addresses were chosen from hundreds of suggested locations submitted by the public.

In June, regional council directed staff to survey the public for possible additional SCS locations, said Karen Quigley-Hobbs, director of infectious disease, dental and sexual health for the region.

Throughout the month of July, the region received 310 submission with 222 of those submissions being repeated entries. 

"I think [people] really put their mind to finding locations that would be good suggestions," said Quigley-Hobbs.

The Kent Ave location was identified as a two-storey structure in an area near other services used by the target population and is accessible by transit.

The  Duke St. location is a large 6500 sq ft building near services used by the target population. The building has onsite parking as well.

However, no additional sites were recommended for Cambridge. 

The majority suggested Cambridge Memorial Hospital or areas close by, but the hospital is more a 10-minute walk from the area of need and many drug users said they avoid large health institutions because they feel intimidating, said the report.

More consultations

There are five candidate locations for the region's SCS with upcoming consultation dates for businesses and residents within 250 metres of the site and additional dates for members of the public.

Kitchener:

  • 115 Water St. N. on Aug. 27 for residents and businesses.
  • 33 Kent Ave. on Aug. 28 for residents and businesses.
  • 150 Duke St. W. on Sept.12 for residents and businesses.

Consultation dates for members of the public will be held Aug. 29 and Sept. 13.

Cambridge:

  • 150 Main St. on Aug.30 for residents and businesses. 
  • 149 Ainslie St. N. on Sept.10 for residents and businesses.

Consultation dates for members of the public will be held August 31 and Sept.11.

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