Proposed Location Of Harm Reduction Vending Machine Faces Opposition

By Robert Thomas

In business there is a saying to be successful its all about location, location and location.

The same principle is being used in the decision to locate two harm reduction supply vending machines in Moose Jaw. The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) wants the vending machines in areas more accessible to intravenous drug users so they are made use of.

So far the SHA has decided upon a Downtown location at the Crescent View Clinic site where harm reduction supplies are presently being handed out. Additionally the SHA is looking at a South Hill location. A location that remains elusive after three proposed sites have already been rejected.

The proposed location for the vending machine is the parking lot area of the Palliser Regional Library - MJ Independent photo

The move is not without controversy with a proposed South Hill location in the 4th Avenue SE business district (between Home Street W and Coteau Street W) drawing opposition from residents and at least one long time business.

“I don’t want this machine near my home it will just bring more meth heads. We need the police,” a South Hill resident told MJ Independent under the condition of anonymity. MJ Independent agreed to the long time resident's anonymity request because they have a well founded fear of retribution from drug users and dealers who reside in the same neighbourhood.

In written responses the SHA gave their reasons and criteria for installing the machines in the community.

“Proposed locations for harm reduction services take into account client data, proximity to other harm reduction services (counselling, free supplies, etc.), as well as consultation with providers and partners like the RCMP, fire fighters, paramedics and the community.

The SHA engaged with the South Hill Planning Committee on the proposed Palliser Library (South Hill) location. Consultation with community associations, partners and the public is important to the success of this project so those consultations will be ongoing for the forseeable future.

The two sites recommended through community and partner consultations are Crescent View and the Palliser Library (South Hill),” the SHA wrote to explain the location of the machines.

At the present time a pharmacy located in the surrounding neighbourhood distributes methadone to addicts. Methadone is used as a less harmful replacement for people who are addicted to some types of narcotics and prescription medication.

It should be noted not everyone who are addicted to prescription drugs took them recreationally but they became addicted to them after being prescribed the medication by a doctor. Oxycontin was prescribed for pain after injuries and the formally touted “non-addictive” medication left behind people who are now life-long addicts.

Not everyone who attended the meeting held at the Palliser Regional Library was in favour of the proposed location.

The Southwest Day Care and Early Learning Centre was one of the attendees at the community meeting who do not favour of the proposed Palliser Regional Library site.

In a letter sent out to parents the Day Care wrote staff and board members have “many concerns” about the proposed location.

MJ Independent received a copy of the letter from a concerned confidential source and not from the Day Care itself.

The letter stated concerns are born out of the “very limited information that seems to be being provided to the general public regarding the initiative.” (See Page One of the letter below).

In their letter to parents the Southwest Day Care and Early Learning Centre explained their concerns and opposition to the proposed Palliser Regional Library parking lot location. (See Page Two of the letter below).

On Page Two of their letter parents with children at the Centre were informed the Centre was in opposition to the proposed vending machine and needle exchange location for a variety of reasons.

The reasons included the area already had two nearby elementary schools, two daycares, parks and ball fields. Additionally there was already “notable drug issues in the vicinity of the (Southwest) day care.”

Speaking off the record other area businesses and residents confirmed there are drug issues in the neighbourhood.

The Day Care’s letter also included reference to the Province’s anti-tobacco initiative where tobacco is now no longer sold where it is visible to minors as an attempt to make it socially unacceptable and reduce use.
”Not only is the proposed location close to children, it is also placed right in the line of sight of the seniors apartment building,” the letter stated.

An attempt was made to get further comment from the Southwest Day Care on their concerns but a response was not available before publication as the director was gone for the weekend.

It needs to be noted that a day care adjacent the Southwest Day Care - the YMCA Day Care operated by the Regina YMCA - did not attend the community consultation meeting despite being invited to it.

For their part the SHA responded they wanted to continue to address community concerns about the location of the vending machine/needle exchange.

“The SHA primary care team in Moose Jaw has established contact with daycare leaders and there is ongoing planning for a meeting to discuss community concerns. This face-to-face dialogue will continue as community engagement on this initiative is extremely important to the SHA,” the SHA wrote in response in an email.

Asked if other locations had been considered the SHA said only the Palliser Regional Library site had been.

“The two sites recommended through community and partner consultations are Crescent View (South Hill) and the Palliser Library,” the SHA wrote, adding “as mentioned previously, public consultation with such a project is paramount to its success, so that will continue. The SHA will continue to engage community members to answer any questions or concerns brought forward.”

The lack of information available to the general public was a major concern the Southwest Day Care and Early Learning Centre expressed in their letter to parents.

MJ Independent has learnt that in initial planning stages three other locations had been considered and were ultimately rejected before the SHA looked at the Palliser Regional Library parking lot site.

Why The Need For The Machines

“Increased hours of access to harm reduction services was identified as a key recommendation during recent Drug Task Force public consultations. Harm reduction vending machines and lockers will expand access by providing 24 hour availability to harm reduction supplies,” the SHA wrote when asked why the need for the vending machines.

According to the Province’s web-site the Drug Task Force (DTF) is an inter-sectoral group of leaders who are concerned with problematic substance use in Saskatchewan. Representatives include provincial government ministries (Health, Social Services, Corrections, Policing and Public Safety), the Chief Medical Health Officer, provincial coroner, police organizations (Saskatoon and Regina Police Services, RCMP), the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and the Saskatoon Tribal Council.

Vending machines are part of the puzzle to combat addiction and diseases that spread due to addiction issues.

“The SHA is currently exploring new ways to deliver harm reduction services. "Vending machines" that can only be accessed by authorized clients are one way to provide 24/7 access to safe supplies that reduce the spread of blood-bourne illness and infection among people living with addictions issues,” the SHA additionally wrote.

The machines are being installed in Saskatchewan communities as a means to distribute harm reduction supplies - clean needles, sterile water and the opioid overdose medication naloxone (marketed under the trade name Narcan) - as a means to prevent overdose deaths and prevent the spread of AIDS and Hepatitis C through the sharing and re-use of intravenous needles.

Since 2016 Saskatchewan has seen a steady increase in overdose totals since 2016. In 2019 there were 179 deaths but with the pandemic the numbers increased from 322 deaths in 2020 and 388 in 2021. At the present time the province is on pace to set another record in overdose deaths in 2022.

At the present time Saskatchewan has the highest transmission rates of HIV in Canada with 237 diagnoses in 2021 up from the 184 cases diagnosed in 2020. Hepatitis C rates nationally were 30.4 per 100,000 people whereas Saskatchewan had an infection rate of 52.5 per 100,000 people.

Presently the vending machines have been set up in communities such as Lloydminster, North Battleford and Meadow Lake - two at hospitals and one at a community clinic to service clients after hours.

At the present time it is unknown when the vending machines will be installed in the community.

Editor’s Note - MJ Independent reached out to the SHA for an interview to hear the SHA’s side and the reasoning behind the machines and how they fit into harm reduction.

Initially the SHA had planned to allow MJ Independent a scheduled one hour to allow local health officials to give the reasons behind but after waiting six days the interview was cancelled the day prior due to scheduling issues.

The SHA said they would like to reschedule the interview to discuss the need for harm reduction to help the public understand the issue.

We also will offer others with concerns on the other side of this issue the opportunity to comment as well if they chose to do so.