A mobile overdose prevention site. (Supplied by Alberta Health Services)

By David Opinko

Mobile “overdose prevention site” opens in Lethbridge August 17

Aug 12, 2020 | 1:57 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Alberta Health Services (AHS) will soon be operating a temporary solution to harm reduction.

The mobile overdose prevention site (OPS) will open outside the Lethbridge Shelter and Resources Centre on Monday, August 17.

The move follows an audit last month that found widespread financial mismanagement by ARCHES, the group that runs Lethbridge’s Supervised Consumption Site. As a result, the provincial government pulled its funding from the organization.

ARCHES announced Wednesday, August 12 that they would be ceasing all supervised consumption, needle collection, or outreach services as of August 31 and would vacate their building in downtown Lethbridge by the end of September.

READ MORE: BREAKING: ARCHES announces closure of Lethbridge’s Supervised Consumption Site

Week-in-review: Municipal election changes, a leadership debate and green bins

Apr 27, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 26, 2024

Apr 26, 2024

Week-in-review: Federal Budget, water agreements and success for tourism industry

Apr 20, 2024

In an emailed statement from the Associate Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, they say the OPS will allow “for the seamless transition of clients as the grant agreement with ARCHES for the existing supervised consumption site ends.”

“The mobile OPS will offer the same services ARCHES currently offers, and based on the utilization data we’ve received from the current supervised consumption services operator, the capacity will be sufficient to serve the clients.”

A spokesperson told LNN that they will place a heavy emphasis on access to recovery-oriented supports such as transitional shelter, detox, and referral to treatment.

A previous statement from AHS to LNN said that they will hire people from Lethbridge and that existing staff at the SCS may apply to work in this facility.

Officials are working to ensure that the demand for supervised consumption services is met and that there is a seamless transition of services from ARCHES at AHS.

The government has indicated that the OPS is merely a temporary solution while something that is better suited to the long-term needs of the community is figured out.