Supervised consumption services

A Peel Supervised Consumption Site Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study was completed and looked at the perspectives of people who use substances, community members and key informants on supervised consumption services in Peel.

Key study findings:

• There is a need for supervised consumption services in Peel.
• Most people who use substances (87%) would use a supervised consumption service if available.
• Community consultation should occur to increase acceptance of these services.

The opening of the clinic was the result of more than two of years planning with community partners to achieve many milestones, including:

Securing of a clinic location

• After an extensive site selection process spanning nearly two years, Peel Public Health delivered a report on July 6, 2023, to Regional Council identifying 10 Peel Centre Drive in Brampton as the location of Peel’s first interim Supervised Consumption Services clinic.
• 10 Peel Centre Drive, the Region’s headquarters in Brampton, was chosen as the site for this clinic based on overdose location data, community input including people with living or lived experience of substance use, and site-specific requirements.
• Construction of the clinic, which is co-located with other Regional health and social service offerings, was completed in November 2023.

Preparation for operations

• Site-specific engagement with local partners and stakeholders was undertaken to build awareness of the drug-toxicity crisis and provide education about the services offered by an supervised consumption services clinic.
• A Community Advisory Committee (made up of local businesses, health and social service agencies, and post secondary institutions) was struck to foster community relationships and mitigate any issues. The Working Group is chaired by Moyo Health and Community Services.
• An application was submitted for a Health Canada exemption. An exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for the intended site location was required to provide Supervised Consumption Services via an Urgent Public Health Need Site. Health Canada approved the exemption in February, 2024.

Site opening

• The clinic is operated by Moyo Health and Community Services. WellFort Community Health Services is the clinical services lead.
• The clinic is an interim site. A formal evaluation will be conducted to assess effective implementation and achievement of intended outcomes for people who use substances.
• In collaboration with Moyo Health and Community Services, Peel Public Health will be supporting an application to the provincial Consumption and Treatment Services program for a permanent site in Peel. The application process for this program is extensive and includes broad community consultation.

In Canada, possession of controlled substances is prohibited under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. As the operator of the SCS in Brampton, Moyo Health and Community Services applied for an exemption under section 56.1 of the Act. An exemption was granted by Health Canada in February 2024.

Peel Regional Police has been consulted and collaborated with regional partners on the planning of supervised consumption services clinic. Peel Regional Police is committed to pillars of their Community Safety and Well-being framework that focuses on upstream solutions to addressing the needs of priority populations.

Peer-reviewed studies find that there is no evidence linking supervised consumption services sites to increased crime. Evidence does suggest that supervised consumption services, in addition to reducing deaths from overdoses and other substance use harms, connect people with health services, reduce ambulance calls for treating overdoses, and reduce needle debris and public intoxication. Peel Regional Police will respond to calls for service and continue to enforce all laws pertaining to criminal activity and public order in and around the supervised consumption services.