A search is underway for a new home in the Cowichan Valley for an overdose prevention facility currently located on Trunk Road in Duncan.
Island Health issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on Sunday.
Following meetings with community leaders and others, the health authority says that it agrees that the current site “does not meet community or client needs in the most effective way.”
The facility had faced opposition from neighbours who complained about an increase in criminal behaviour.
Island Health says the goal is to find a location that “minimizes community impacts, while improving linkages to treatment and other supports.”
The facility provides needle exchange services, harm reduction supplies and education, referrals to health services, addictions services and other social supports.
It moved to the Trunk Road location, across from Duncan Mall, in April 2018. It had been on Canada Road since September 2017.
According to the RFP, Island Health is looking for 1000 sq.ft of space within walking distance of the Trans Canada Highway in Duncan/North Cowichan, and would like to relocate the facility by December 1 at the latest.
It is one of nine overdose prevention sites on Vancouver Island, including four in Victoria, set up in response to the opioid crisis under the Emergency Health Services Act in late 2016.
The sites are managed by health authorities in partnership with local provider agencies.
Island Health says that it is still learning about the best ways to provide overdose prevention services and understands concerns around where the facilities are located.
It says it is “committed to working collaboratively with our community partners to mitigate the impact to surrounding neighbourhoods, while also recognizing the services must be located near people who rely on them.”
Ben O'Hara
