As the City of Windsor continues to struggle with an opioid crisis, community leaders, politicians and health officials have been calling for concrete action to prevent opioid-related deaths.

Two key suggestions are the&nbsp;implementation of supervised injection sites and for police officers to carry naloxone kits.&nbsp;

Multiple opioid-related deaths in Windsor in the past 'week and a half,' says advocate

Those figures follow the release of a new report Wednesday from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, which says more than 2,000 Canadians have died of opioid abuse this year — bringing the death toll to 9,000 since 2016.

Windsor Overdose Prevention Society member Brandon Bailey, left, says Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens' notion that overdose death rates will still rise in cities which have safe injection sites is 'wrong.'

Brandon Bailey Drew Dilkens 

Do supervised consumption sites increase crime? 'The answer to that is a flat no'

Amid a debate over whether London should open a supervised consumption site inside a residential building, the woman who pioneered the first-ever such facility in the country says it reduced crime and kept addicts alive.

InjectionKit

The country's first-ever supervised consumption site inside a residential building began in Vancouver in the fall of 2016, not as a bold enterprise, but as case of misinterpretation. 

But during a year-end&nbsp;interview with CBC News, police chief Al Frederick said&nbsp;— as he's stated&nbsp;before&nbsp;— he's not in favour of either.

"I am dead against it," he said, about having a supervised injection site in Windsor.&nbsp;He argued the sites could result in a host of public safety issues&nbsp;and that they&nbsp;could escalate crime rates.

"I can't compromise someone's public safety here in order to facilitate the illicit use of drugs over here."

Police Chief Al Frederick

During a year-end interview with CBC, Police Chief Al Frederick discusses supervised injection sites and whether or not police officers should carry naloxone.

There have also been growing calls from politicians like Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky to equip police officers with naloxone, which can potentially reverse opioid overdoses.&nbsp;

Windsor police only service in Ontario not carrying naloxone, says MPP

Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky said Windsor police are the only service in Ontario not carrying naloxone. According to the chief of police in Windsor, officers will not be carrying naloxone kits.

Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky said her office receives regular calls from constituents, complaining about nursing home treatment. 

Lisa Gretzky

Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky said Windsor Police Service is the only police department in Ontario that doesn't carry naloxone. 

New Windsor councillor to push the naloxone issue at next council meeting

Ward 9 councillor Kieran McKenzie will ask administration to develop a report "analyzing the issues and potential impacts of equipping first responders."

Naloxone can reverse the effects of overdose. The Nova Scotia government makes kits available free at pharmacies, and training on their use is available.

Brandon Bailey

Local advocate Brandon Bailey carries a naloxone kit with him everywhere he goes, and says police officers across the country should do the same.

She has said the Windsor Police Service is the only force&nbsp;in the province not equipping officers with the antidote, despite a commitment from the provincial government to provide the&nbsp;kits free of charge.&nbsp;

opioid deaths windsor essex

However, Frederick still doesn't believe having officers equipped with naloxone&nbsp;the right approach.

"I can tell you that our officers are not medical responders, he said.

"I believe&nbsp;strongly that officers carrying naloxone is not the best response for a person suffering from an overdose. That would be a medical responder."

Windsor police chief Al Frederick has not changed his mind on supervised injection sites. He still thinks they have no place in Windsor.

Windsor police chief still firmly against supervised injection sites, naloxone issue

Officers and naloxone

More Stories Like This