MAMA KNOWS BEST? –
August 12, 2021 – She would rather see money spent on treatment facilities to improve wait times, which at times can be months.
“He needs the support group. He needs people who are in recovery, and that is where you get the treatment,” said Nesbitt. But addiction specialist Dr. Robert McKay says the consumption sites provide a safe place for drug addicts who otherwise aren’t capable of seeking out treatment facilities.
“This is reaching those who don’t have much in the way of supports. A lot of them are still injecting downtown in various places,” said McKay, adding that Guelph has had success with its site that has been open for two years. “We do know, that through tons of research and data, a lot of people end up using them. And so a lot of substance users who may not have a place to use, who do want to be supervised when they’re using, will likely want to utilize a service like that,” said Claire Venet-Rogers, Harm Reduction Community Education Coordinator for Pozitive Pathways Community Services.
Brentwood Recovery Home executive director Elizabeth Dulmage says it’s not a question of either a treatment facility or a consumption site.
“Their disease process is very individual. And so we need a suite of options, a menu of options that are solidly funded,” said Dulmage.
