Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) wants to get your input on whether a supervised drug consumption site would better help those battling addiction in the region.
The study, which will measure the feasibility of a Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) site in the health area, will span the City of St. Thomas, Elgin County, and Oxford County.
"The opioid crisis has a devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities," said SWPH Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ninh Tran. "It is a crisis that affects everyone, not only those living in large urban centres. COVID-19 exacerbated this crisis, and we have observed an increase in overdose deaths locally."
An advisory committee has been formed by the health unit to consult with various agencies and community groups, as well as emergency services, chambers of commerce, municipal governments, recovering substance abuse addicts, and others.
Interviews and focus groups will be conducted as part of the study, though the health unit has said attendance at these groups has been filled.
"While we cannot speculate what the feasibility study data will say, we know that conducting this study is a critical step to addressing such a complex public health concern," said Dr. Tran.
According to data collected between April 2020 and March 2021, there were 43 opioid-related deaths in the Southwestern Public Health region, representing 20.5 deaths for every 100,000 people. The provincial opioid-related death rate average of 18.7 per 100,000 people.
The public will be invited to provide its thoughts later this month.
