Supervised Consumption Services
Artwork: Mique Michelle; Grondin, Beau. International Overdose Awareness Day Mural. 2019. Timmins, Ontario.
Updates on the progress of the proposed permanent Supervised Consumption Services site planning and application process can be found on the Canadian Mental Health Association Cochrane-Timiskaming Branch website, https://bit.ly/cmhactscs .
What are Supervised Consumption Services (SCS)?
In Ontario, provincially funded Supervised Consumption Services sites (SCS) are referred to as Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS).
A Supervised Consumption Services site is a controlled space where people can consume their own pre-obtained drugs under supervision of trained staff who can respond if a medical emergency (overdose) occurs. People who use the service can access basic medical care, referrals to treatment services, withdrawal beds, and other health and social services.
Supervised consumption services sites help save lives and create safer communities. Research shows that SCS sites provide the following benefits:
- Saves lives by reducing the number of fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses.
- Reduces the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C among people who use drugs.
- Connects people who use drugs with mental health supports, addictions services, primary health care services, and social services like housing and other supports.
- Reduces drug use in public spaces and provides options for proper needle disposal.
About Us – Timmins and Area Drug Strategy (TADS)
The proposed SCS site has been and continues to be a collaborative effort with ongoing endorsement, support and partnership from Timmins and Area Drug Strategy Steering committee agencies.
The Timmins and Area Drug Strategy is a community group with members from various health, social and justice organizations, working collaboratively to reduce the range of harms associated with substance use.
TADS works to address substance use across the pillars of prevention, treatment, harm reduction, enforcement, and emergency management.
The TADS steering committee recognizes the importance of having supervised consumption services in our area as one part of a larger, comprehensive drug strategy.
Applying for a SCS site in Timmins is just one example of the collaborative community work that is underway in the region to address opioid use and overdoses.
Other Resources
- Interactive Opioid Tool allows users to explore both local and provincial trends for opioid-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths.
- Government of Canada. Supervised consumption sites and services: Explained.
- Consumption Treatment Services application guide.
- Virtual tour of the temporary Supervised Consumption Services Site – Safe Health Site Timmins.
- Get updates on the temporary Supervised Consumption Services Site – Safe Health Site Timmins.
- Local opioid surveillance data can be found on the Porcupine Health Unit’s website
Questions
Please direct all questions related to the proposed permanent SCS site to the CMHA-CT Communications Department.
Email: [email protected]