After the closure of Calgary’s only supervised consumption site (SCS) at the end of June, former peer support worker Sydney Boa expressed concern over the lack of alternative options for clients who relied on the services. Boa highlighted the significant impact of losing access to social, mental health, and medical support services, emphasizing the trust that had been established with clients over time.
The SCS, located at the Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre in Calgary’s Beltline neighborhood, was a pioneering facility in Alberta since its establishment in 2017. Despite being recognized for its life-saving interventions, the site faced criticism for its perceived role in public drug use and police intervention in the vicinity.
Providing a safe environment for individuals to consume pre-obtained drugs under supervision, the SCS also offered a range of essential services such as crisis management, wound care, and education on potential contaminants in the local drug supply. Boa, a co-lead at Street Cats YYC, emphasized the importance of the site as a secure space for crucial discussions and medical assistance.
Following the closure, concerns have been raised about the rise in adverse overdose reactions, particularly due to the increase in harmful substances like the veterinary-grade tranquilizer medetomidine in Calgary’s drug market. While opioid overdose deaths have seen a decline in Alberta, the closure of the SCS has prompted a shift towards expanding addiction treatment, medical detox, and recovery services in the province.
However, the Calgary Fire Department reported a surge in EMS responses to opioid-related incidents, indicating a growing complexity and severity in substance-related emergencies. Medical professionals, including addiction medicine physician Kate Colizza, have expressed worries about the strain on the healthcare system in Calgary resulting from the closure of the SCS.
Despite efforts to focus on recovery-oriented care, challenges remain for individuals seeking substance use treatment, including limited detox beds, housing support shortages for discharged individuals, and lengthy waitlists for voluntary treatment programs. Colizza highlighted the ongoing difficulties in accessing voluntary treatment services, emphasizing the need for improved support systems in Calgary.
In response to these challenges, Alberta’s government has passed the Compassionate Intervention Act, aiming to establish new compassionate intervention centers in Edmonton and Calgary by 2030. The act allows for the forced treatment of individuals with severe substance addictions, with a focus on expanding services to address the evolving needs of the community.