In a special meeting yesterday, Red Deer city council gave first reading to a bylaw that would allow mobile supervised consumption services (SCS) to be licensed in the city.

Coun. Ken Johnston called it a first step towards achieving some harm reduction in the fight against opioid addiction in the city.

“Obviously it’s not as ideal as a permanent location, I think other cities are seeing that,” Johnston said, referring to cities like Kelowna and Calgary, which have both mobile and fixed sites to meet demand for service.

“But in the absence of any other type of harm reduction strategy in Red Deer right now, it’s a step that we really need to take."

Two amendments will be presented once second and third readings come back May 28. The first was proposed by Coun. Lawrence Lee stating that a mobile SCS unit must leave a site in the same condition as it was found. The second, from Coun. Tanya Handley, limits the number of licences to one.

Further amendments would be needed to add locations recommended by city administration where a mobile unit could operate.

They include:

  • Hospital (3942 50A Avenue)
  • P9 Parking Lot (4618 50 A)
  • Safe Harbour (5246 53 Ave)
  • Bettensons Parking Lot (4310, 4320, 4322 & 4348 52 Avenue)
  • Old Parks Building (4934 54 Avenue)

Reacting to the events, Turning Point’s executive director Stacey Carmichael reiterated her organization’s call for a service supported by their research.

“Our community does not need a mobile site. Seventy per cent of people would use a mobile site versus 97 per cent of people who would use a fixed site at Turning Point. That difference should matter. That’s where our focus should be,” Carmichael said, adding that there have been 17 deaths related to opioid overdoses.

“We would likely be able to prevent some overdose deaths so that’s a bonus for sure. A fixed site would provide significant reduction in overdose deaths and opportunity for folks to be connected to (wrap-around services). It would give us an ability to keep people inside and safe and connected.”

As the bylaw is written, landowner consent is required for an application to be approved. Both Alberta Health Services and Safe Harbour have stated they do not intend to apply to offer SCS at their facilities.

A public hearing is not required to amend the city’s License Bylaw but if an application for a unit comes through, property owners and occupants within 100 m of a proposed site would need to be notified.

As well, the city is inviting residents to make written submissions by May 19 to be included in the May 28 council agenda.