Guelph CHC hopes to keep overdose prevention site open under new model

Guelph Community Health Centre (GCHC) is in the midst of an application process to keep its current overdose prevention site open.

Existing sites in the province have to re-applyunder the newconsumption and treatment services (CTS) model if they wish to continue to operate.

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GCHChas until mid-December to send in its application to the province.

The application must include city council support, which they got earlier this week, saidRaechelle Devereaux, executive director of GCHC.

"The fact that we receivedunanimous in our presentation to city council was very promising for us," she told Craig Norris, host of The Morning Edition.

The new CTSmodel focuses moreon treatment and rehabilitation services, which is somethingGCHCalready does, Devereaux said.

Visitors are connected toprimary care, referrals tosupports such ashousing and food, andare also connected to withdrawal management services.

Answer from the province

GCHCmay have an answer on whether or not their application is approved by the end of January 2019. The province said it would approve future sites based on need.

Devereauxsaid if approved, staff will needto documentwraparound services in depth, in addition to adding more space todeliver othertreatment services that are required.

"With those changes, we're actually proposing a shift in location of the site within our existing building," she said.

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Despite no guarantee, Devereauxsaid she is confident GCHC'sapplication will be approved, noting Guelph'soverdose and emergency department visits rates are above the provincial average.

If GCHC'sapplication is not approved, she said staff would be actively lobbying with the province to keep the site open.

"We'll do whatever possible to keep our doors open," she said, but added they will not operate the site illegally.

Since May, the site has had more than 2,300 visits from more than250individuals. They'vereversed 21 overdoses and have connected many individualsto treatment services andcommunity supports.