An application is going in to both senior levels of government to make the temporary safe drug consumption site in Timmins the permanent location.
Paul Jalbert, executive director of the Cochrane-Timiskaming branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association says his agency will assume operation of the site on Cedar Street North from TADH, while stressing that it’s a community initiative.
“This really is a collaboration between organizations from public health to the City of Timmins to TDH,” he points out. “So there are many thanks that need to go around in terms of bringing this project to where it is right now and where it’s going to be in the future.”
Jalbert, says the goal is a seamless transition.
“It’s a service that we know is important in our community. It’s saved lives and supported the connection of individuals who use substances to addiction services. It’s supported the connection to inpatient residential services to acute care. So we don’t want to see a gap.”
The temporary site has been operating since July.
For details on participating in an online community information session on Wednesday, December 14th, click on this link.
Listen to the entire interview with Paul Jalbert here: