N.L. should open supervised injection site in St. John's, say MUN students

Some Memorial UniversitySchool of Social Work students are trying to get a supervised injection siteopen in St. John's.

Brent Baker and Vanessa Newhook are two of the students working on a social justice project to reduce the stigma around intravenous drug use and encourage harm reduction in the city.

The goal for this is to make a safer environment, not necessarilysafe, becausedrug use is inherentlynot safe.- Vanessa Newhook

There is a needle exchange program operating in St. John's, but Newhook saidresources are limited for people addicted to opiates and other drugs.

Unlike in Vancouver, there are no supervised injection sites operating in St. John's, or anywhere in the Newfoundland and Labrador.

Newhook said this kind ofsite would provide clean needles, as well as medical support,to intravenous drugusers.

Preventing overdoses

"The goal for this is to make a safer environment, not necessarilysafe, becausedrug use is inherentlynot safe," said Newhook.

"But it's a safer environment for the drug users to be able to go somewhere to inject where they will be supervised and there is medical staff on site who can provide them assistance if they happen to overdose."

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As for who would pay for the facility, Baker said the funding would likely come from the provincial government with some federal help.

The students plan to present a petition to the House of Assembly, asking for such as a site.

Fewer dirty needles

Both students also told the St. John's Morning Show that a safe injection site could reduce the number of dirty needles that are sometimes found in parks and other areas of St. John's.

On April 3, the students are holding the official launch of the project at the Jimmy Pratt Memorial Outreach Centre, at the George Street United Church.

Baker saidthe event is open to the public and will also include the release of a video, and a book of stories from substance users from the community.

More information can be found on the group's Facebook page.