Whereas the provincial government has implemented a harm reduction policy involving a broad range of interventions to help keep people alive and safe, including overdose prevention sites and safe injection sites; And whereas some individuals who utilize the services of the overdose prevention sites and safe injection sites leave under the influence of drugs which can lead to disorderly behaviour, urination, defecation, illegal camping, and safety issues which have a negative impact on businesses and residences in the surrounding area: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government and the federal government to provide a funding stream to cover the additional security and cleanup costs related to overdose prevention sites and safe injection sites, and any other social services related to people experiencing addiction andor mental health issues.
Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions Each day in our province, six loved ones are losing their lives to the toxic drug crisis. Our government is enhancing harm reduction measures to save lives through unprecedented investments, including 430 million over the next three years, committed through Budget 2022. The number of overdose prevention sites has significantly increased from one site in 2016 to 42 in September 2022. From January 2017 until September 2022, there were more than 3.3 million visits, more than 22,816 overdoses responded to and survived, and zero deaths. Overdose prevention sites also provide opportunities for clients to connect with broader care pathways and social services. Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions works closely with overdose prevention service providers and municipalities to identify and mitigate local level concerns, including potential neighbourhood impacts. Many providers of overdose prevention services do provide community cleanup and have ambassadors who work to mitigate community impacts. Our government will continue escalating our response to the overdose emergency to save lives, while we build a system of care where services are always within reach of those who need them, and everyone feels safe and supported in their community.