Safe Consumption Site in Barrie one step closer with government applications submitted
With formal applications being sent to Health Canada and the province, plans are moving forward for Barrie's first safe consumption site.
The Simcoe County Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, in partnership with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, submitted federal and provincial applications for the site at 11 Innisfil Street.
One application was to Health Canada for exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the other to the provincial government for funding approval for the site.
Dr. Valerie Grdisa said the opioid crisis in the City of Barrie has grown throughout the pandemic, "highlighting the critical need for low barrier access to harm reduction and treatment services."
The health unit reported 58 opioid deaths in Barrie last year, more than double the year before.
After years of debate, Barrie city council endorsed the Innisfil Street (80 Bradford Street, Unit 940) site in May.
"The site offers a good balance between serving clients effectively and ensuring an acceptable fit within the surrounding community," a release stated Wednesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada 'already past due' on NATO defence spending target: U.S. House intelligence committee chair Mike Turne
The chair of the United States House intelligence committee says Canada needs to accelerate its defence spending targets, especially with its military in 'desperate' need of investment.
Scurvy resurgence highlights issues of food insecurity in Canada's rural and remote areas
A disease often thought to only affect 18th century sailors is reemerging in Canada.
BCSPCA rescue cat caught in hunting snare prompts warning to pet owners
Donations are ramping up for a BCSPCA cat with a mangled paw after being caught in a hunting snare, one of a rising number of pets to fall prey to the hunting device.
These vascular risks are strongly associated with severe stroke, researchers say
Many risk factors can lead to a stroke, but the magnitude of risk from some of these conditions or behaviours may have a stronger association with severe stroke compared with mild stroke, according to a new study.
Trudeau calls violence in Montreal 'appalling' as NATO protest continues
Anti-NATO protesters gathered again in Montreal on Saturday to demand Canada withdraw from the alliance, a day after a demonstration organized by different groups resulted in arrests, burned cars and shattered windows.
Cher 'shocked' to discover her legal name when she applied to change it
Cher recalls a curious interlude from her rich and many-chaptered history in her new book 'Cher: The Memoir, Part One.'
Ants marching into spotlight as hobby of ant-keeping rise in popularity
They are tiny insects that are often overlooked or stepped on, but ants are marching not only into people’s backyards, but also their homes, as the popularity of ant-keeping rises in Canada.
U.S. Air Force says drones spotted near 3 bases in England last week
The U.S. Air Force says a number of small drones were detected last week around three bases in eastern England that are used by American forces.
Police thought this gnome looked out of place. Then they tested it for drugs
During a recent narcotics investigation, Dutch police said they found a garden gnome made of approximately two kilograms of MDMA.