The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit&nbsp;(WECHU) announced Wednesday the opening of a new facility, SafePoint,&nbsp;for the supervised consumption of drugs.&nbsp;

The health unit said it received approval from Health Canada on April 14 following a successful site inspection in early March. SafePoint will officially open to users on April 26.&nbsp;

Local health officials have been working towards&nbsp;bringing this resource to the community for seven years.&nbsp;

Windsor's drug consumption and treatment site expected to open in April

Despite having passed an inspection by Health Canada the agency has yet to give the Health Unit approval to open the Safepoint Consumption and Treatment Site.

Bilal Nasser of the Save the Windsor CTS group stands outside the Safepoint Consumption and Treatment Site.

Safepoint

A banner reading SafePoint to the right with journalists inspecting the facility to its right

The facility is the first of its kind in the Windsor-Essex region. 

SAFEPOINT - WYANDOTTE

The facility will offer a supervised space where people with a drug addiction can consume substances on site. It will also offer preventive services, harm reduction equipment, drug checking services, and connections to mental health and social services.&nbsp;

Windsor wants to start testing its local drug supply. Here's why that matters

Even though Windsor has been in the middle of a growing opioid crisis for years now, health experts and users still don't know what other highly toxic substances are being mixed into the local drug supply. 

Windsor's public health unit says it recognizes the value in testing the local drug supply. It is waiting on provincial funding to allow it to buy drug testing technology. 

Drugs

The new facility will host open house sessions on Thursday and Friday.

Dr. Ken Blanchette, CEO of WECHU,&nbsp;said this is to ensure&nbsp;trust with stakeholders and communities.&nbsp;

"Engagement with residents, businesses and other stakeholders in our downtown core has guided the long process to bring this site to fruition, and this is one of the many ongoing opportunities to bring keep this engagement going," Blanchette said in a news&nbsp;release.&nbsp;

A man in a blue suit stands behind a podium next to a banner reading "SafePoint." 

President and CEO of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Bill Marra addressed a press conference today. 

Bill Marra

WECHU&nbsp;also announced a new partner that will oversee the facility's day-to-day operations of SafePoint.&nbsp;Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, a mental health and addiction service, is set to establish staffing, emergency response and connections to treatment at SafePoint.&nbsp;

"Those suffering from addiction need compassion while navigating their journey to recovery," said Bill Marra, president and CEO of&nbsp;Hôtel-Dieu Grace. "We look forward to working close with the health unit and other partnering agencies to ensure this site is a success."

Supervised booths are provided at SafePoint at 101 Wyandotte St. E., where individuals can use substances in a controlled environment. 

Windsor-Essex's first supervised consumption site, SafePoint, set to open April 26

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