The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) has written a letter of support calling on the Ontario government to step up with proper funding for Sudbury's supervised consumption facility, known as The Spot.
The letter, signed by Policy Executive Network Officer Maria Casas of the RNAO chapter in Sudbury, is directed at Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Sylvia Jones.
This comes at a time when it is believed the Sudbury site located at 24 Energy Court and operated by Réseau ACCESS Network is facing the possibility of being closed for lack of provincial funding.
The RNAO letter said it would be wrong to let that happen.
"There is robust evidence that supervised injection services (SIS) and overdose prevention services (OPS) are saving lives as part of a comprehensive response to drug use," Casas wrote.
The letter said the site allows drug users to inject or consume their substances under the supervision of trained personnel who provide sterile supplies, overdose prevention and management, and well as access to other health and social services.
"The Sudbury Safe Consumption Site has been operating for about one year and has seen over 1000 visits. Despite this, funding for the service is not yet guaranteed and there is a real fear that it will shut it’s doors," said the RNAO letter.
Casas went on the write that "Opioid addiction is a real problem in our community". She added that many of those using illicit substances "are often dealing with mental illness, poverty, and trauma."
Casas said many of the users are homeless but in reality, those who are addicted come from all walks of life.
"Accordingly, we implore the Ontario government to step up and provide the required funds to ensure our SIS continues to operate year after year and provide this necessary service in Sudbury," Casas wrote.
Len Gillis covers health care stories and also mining news for Sudbury.com
