In the end, it might not matter where Red Deer city council stands on providing supervised consumption services (SCS) to address Alberta’s opioid crisis.

A letter from Associate Minister of Health Brandy Payne, sent to Mayor Tara Veer in October says as much, stating “A formal position from the City Council was not requested, and is not required for the needs assessment.”

The missive drew the ire of those on council at Tuesday’s meeting, who say they were led to believe that they would have more input on the matter, despite it being a healthcare issue and under provincial jurisdiction.

Mayor Tara Veer called it “mixed messaging” from the province. She cited the first phase of the needs assessment that the local agency Turning Point is conducting for Alberta Health, as proof of the contradiction. “Willingness of Municipality,” or support for SCS demonstrated by citizens, officials, enforcement and community organizations, was to be measured under a section detailing readiness.

Turning Point had also sent letters to council, including one in July, requesting a letter of position.

Coun. Ken Johnston said that created an expectation that elected officials would weigh in after a community consultation.

“There were certainly some very reasonable conclusions made by my colleagues and myself that there would be a more robust consultation,” Johnston said.

If the province proceeds with implementing SCS in Red Deer, the city’s role would be limited to land use. Turning Point has conducted a survey of 258 people who use drugs that found the agency`s downtown building would be their preferred location for accessing SCS.

Council directed staff to report back on options for land use and development process -- routes to take depending on which body would become the development authority – council, or the municipal planning commission. If council, changes will be needed in the city`s Land Use Bylaw.

``We have the ability to control where something like this would end up and part of public consultation is finding out how that impacts the businesses or areas around such a site,`` said Coun. Tanya Handley.

Johnston expects the city`s planning staff to present options concerning topics like hours of operation, fencing, building standards.

``There`s obviously going to be building code enhancements around HVAC, things like that. These are all contained under the safety codes and the Land Use Bylaw that are in the purview of the city council, `` Johnston said.

Coun. Dianne Wyntjes was absent for Tuesday`s meeting.

Feasibility report summary

Turning Point was deemed the preferred location because of the agency`s expertise and pre-existing relationships with those who use drugs. The group says those relationships serve as an entry point to other services such as opiate replacement therapy, day treatment through AHS mobile staff and housing.

The 258 drug users surveyed were mostly white males earning less than $20,000 in annual income. More than 86 per cent said they would be willing to use SCS.

The agency held seven discussion groups this year regarding SCS. They say most of the 115 people who attended, were supportive of the harm reduction practice, but on the condition that they be complemented with prevention, treatment and community safety strategies – the four pillars of the city`s Alcohol and Drug Strategy.

Council has maintained its position that a ``robust community consultation`` is needed, as well as a treatment centre.

But with little progress made by the province toward establishing a treatment centre, Johnston said the focus must now be on saving lives.

``We`re not going to get treatment and this centre, concurrently. It`s not going to happen. At this point in time, is it better for us to have people shooting up in alley ways or shooting up under the supervision of this particular site,`` he said.

Sarah Fleck, Turning Point`s nursing manager said their proposal also includes hiring a worker to clean needle debris within the vicinity of the facility.

To operate a supervised consumption site, a federal exemption from a section of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act is required.

Turning Point`s executive director Stacey Carmichael said they expect a decision from the province early next year and could open the facility as early as next spring.