The Consumption and Treatment Services site (CTS) at 220 Simcoe in Peterborough is a health service that provides a safe and medically supported space for people to consume pre-obtained drugs under the supervision of health professionals. Staff are present at all times to respond to medical emergencies. Individuals are also provided with sterile injection supplies, education on safer consumption practices, drug checking, basic medical services, and referrals to addiction treatment services, housing, and other social services.
The site layout has a variety of features that not only provide a safe space for service users to consume their drugs, but also offer connections on-site to supports that can assist with health, housing, employment, and other related services.
How do these services work?
Supervised consumption sites do not provide drugs. Service users come to the program with their own supply of drugs.
A Harm Reduction Specialist greets each person and reviews basic information to support anonymous access and understanding of the services provided. The service user is given single use harm reduction equipment and instruction on safer use practices.
Once the individual has finished their use, they are invited to the Post-Consumption space for ongoing monitoring and to receive information and referrals about other health and social services.
What are the benefits of these services?
Canadian and International research shows that supervised consumption services provide many benefits both for individuals using the services and for the community, including:
- Reduced drug overdoses, poisonings, and deaths
- Reduced risk factors leading to infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis
- Increased use of addiction treatment services
- Connection and referral to other health and social services
- Reduced public drug use and fewer publicly discarded needles
- Cost-effectiveness