Lethbridge's Supervised Consumption Site. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Ottawa seeking feedback on proposed regulations for supervised consumption services

Aug 28, 2020 | 11:33 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Health Canada wants to hear from you on how supervised consumption should be regulated across the country.

They have opened consultations aimed at developing new regulations under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) for supervised consumption sites (SCS) and services. More details from Health Canada here.

The intent is to:

• Establish SCSs within Canada’s overall harm-reduction framework, consistent with the public health objectives of the CDSA
• Establish clear federal regulatory controls, consistent with the public safety objectives of the CDSA
• Reduce the overall regulatory burden on SCS applicants and operators
• Provide greater certainty and permanence for SCS operators, better ensuring the continuity of SCS and services in Canada

Health Canada states the primary focus of this consultation will be on:

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• Operators of supervised consumption and overdose prevention sites
• Those who wish to apply to operate a new site
• People who have used illicit substances
• Provincial, territorial, and municipal governments
• Indigenous peoples and organizations
• Communities and community organizations
• Health care organizations
• Law enforcement

In Lethbridge, ARCHES is set to cease supervised consumption, needle collection, and outreach services on Monday, August 31. Read more here.

A new mobile Overdose Prevention Site opened in the city on August 17. Read more here.

The full contents of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act can be found here.

Information on Supervised Consumption Sites and services from Health Canada can be found here.

To make your voice heard, you can send an email to hc.csd.regulatory.policy-politique.reglementaire.dsc.sc@canada.ca or send a letter in the mail to:

Office of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs
150 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway, Main Stats Building – 2607
AL 0302A
Ottawa ON K1A 0K9

The consultations are open until October 14, 2020.