May 17, 2022

SUDBURY, ON - Sudbury Member of Parliament, Viviane Lapointe, reacted to the news today that Health Canada granted a federal exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to operate a new supervised consumption site in Sudbury.

“We know that safe consumption sites save lives. This site is an essential part of our community’s plan to reduce overdose deaths caused by the current opioid crisis,” said MP Lapointe. “We are responding to a real and urgent community need.”

The consumption site will be operated by Réseau ACCESS Network which is currently recruiting nurses and paramedics to staff the site.

“I don’t consider my work done on the opioid crisis in our community. I will continue to work with all orders of government, partners, stakeholders, organizations, Indigenous Peoples, and people with lived and living experience of substance use, to ensure people who use drugs have the support they need,” added MP Lapointe.

Some facts on harm reduction and the importance of supervised consumption sites:

• Evidence shows that supervised consumption sites reduce harms and save lives.

• Since 2017, supervised consumption sites in Canada have received more than 3.3 million visits, reversed almost 35,000 overdoses without a single death at a site, and made over 148,000 referrals to health and social services.

• These sites also provide access to supportive and trusted relationships for people who use drugs, including opportunities to access treatment.

• The Federal Government has invested over $60 million to expand access to a safe supply of prescription opioids.

• We have also increased access to life saving naloxone across the county, including to remote and isolated Indigenous communities.

• Our Government will use every tool at our disposal to end this national public health crisis.