WHY SCS?

An entire website is dedicated to this question can be found here: www.whyscs.ca

For Sudbury specific & Northern ON:

Since 2018 there has been a 346% increase in opioid overdose deaths in Sudbury compared to 60% in Ontario. 112 Sudbury and Manitoulin residents died from an opioid-related overdose in 2022, an average of 9 people a month.  As of August 2024, Sudbury has lost 77 community members. 

In the middle of a drug poisoning epidemic The Spot has been essential for Sudbury, reducing overdose deaths, reducing the transmission of infectious diseases, reducing risk and connecting individuals with essential social and healthcare services. In 2023 alone, The Spot had almost 1,000 visits and reversed all 15 overdoses that happened on site, saving lives and drug checking services to prevent the risk of overdose. 

Each overdose is a person, and when we reverse an overdose that is a person who is still alive.  

If this funding application is approved, we can keep our doors open, move to a more central location, stay open longer and ultimately help more people. 

There are several reasons to support supervised consumption services (SCS). Here are some of the main ones:  

1. OVERDOSE PREVENTION: One of the primary goals of SCS is to prevent overdose deaths. These facilities have trained staff who can respond immediately to drug overdoses, administering naloxone or other life-saving interventions. This prompt action can significantly reduce the number of fatalities related to drug overdoses. 
2. COST-EFFECTIVENESS: Studies have shown that implementing SCS can be cost-effective in the long run. By preventing overdose deaths, reducing public health risks, and connecting individuals to healthcare services, SCS can lead to savings in emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and other healthcare costs associated with drug-related harms. 
3. HARM REDUCTION: SCS provide a harm reduction approach to drug use by offering a safe and controlled environment for individuals to consume drugs. They aim to reduce the harms associated with drug use, such as overdose deaths, transmission of blood-borne diseases, and public drug use. 
4. HEALTH PROMOTION: SCS not only provide a safe space for drug consumption but also offer various wrap-around health and social services. These may include access to sterile drug-use equipment, HIV and hepatitis testing, wound care, vaccination programs, and support and referrals to other housing services. By engaging with people who use drugs, SCS can connect them to necessary healthcare resources and support. 
5. REDUCED PUBLIC DRUG USE: SCS help address the issue of public drug consumption by providing a designated space for drug use. This can reduce public injection and discarded syringes in parks, streets, and other public areas. By keeping drug use contained within a supervised environment, SCS can contribute to improving public safety and cleanliness. 
6. SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS: SCS often serve individuals who face multiple challenges, such as homelessness, mental health issues, and social marginalization. These facilities provide a non-judgmental and supportive environment where individuals can access services and support. SCS staff can establish trust, build relationships, and offer resources for addressing underlying and often systemic issues beyond drug use. 
7. EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH: The effectiveness of supervised consumption services has been supported by a growing body of research. Numerous studies have shown that SCS are associated with benefits such as reduced overdose deaths, increased access to healthcare, and improved community well-being. By supporting evidence-based interventions, we can make informed decisions about public health policies and strategies. 
8. TOXIC DRUG SURVALANCE: SCS can identify and alert individuals to the presence of dangerous or adulterated substances within the drug supply. This information empowers users to make more informed decisions about their drug use, potentially preventing overdose and other harmful consequences. Moreover, drug testing at these sites can contribute to public health surveillance efforts by collecting data on the composition and potency of illicit drugs circulating in the community, which can inform targeted interventions and policy decisions.  

 CONNECT: 

www.reseauaccessnetwork.com 

E-Mail: scs@reseauaccessnetwork.com  

 Research:
Opioid-related deaths in Northern Ontario in the early COVID-19 pandemic period

 Link to paper