The following statement is issued on behalf Dr. Ken Blanchette, CEO of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit:
This morning, we received a formal letter from the Ministry of Health which confirmed yesterday’s provincial announcement regarding existing and pending Consumption and Treatment Services sites. Specifically, the letter indicated that the application from our agency had been declined.
While the operations at SafePoint were paused after eight months, in this time the site received over 1200 visits from 249 individuals and saved five lives through reversals of overdoses on site. In addition, the site provided first aid, primary care services, drug testing, social services, and made 237 referrals for mental health and addictions treatment. The site's true impact, however, can best be described through the stories shared by those who accessed services, such as those who were able to reconnect with family or obtain employment and housing as a result of the support they received at SafePoint.
As has been our central priority since this journey began with our partners in 2018, we plan to continue to work collaboratively and engage our community in terms of next steps. While this announcement is disappointing to us, we have begun exploring what opportunities may be in place for the site and will be reaching out to our partnering agencies to determine the best path forward for our community.