Joint news release with Blood Ties Four Directions Centre.
The Yukon’s first supervised consumption site is now open to clients. The site will be open Monday to Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and closed on statutory holidays. This week the site will be closed on Thursday, September 30, for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The Whitehorse supervised consumption site, located at 6189 – 6th Avenue, can serve up to three clients at the same time and is expected to be able to serve up to five clients at a later time this year.
On site, clients can access a range of harm reduction and social services including drug testing, harm reduction counselling, access to naloxone, drug use equipment exchange, medical care from a trained professional, counselling treatment services and training in safer use practices. Clients will also be able to receive referrals to social, medical and mental wellness and substance use supports.
All clients will be requested to follow the COVID-19 guidelines on site to protect themselves and others.
Blood Ties Four Directions Centre is leading the operation of the supervised consumption site in partnership with the Government of Yukon. The site is operating under a class exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act, granted by Health Canada in September 2020 for urgent public health sites.
The supervised consumption site is an element of the Confidence and Supply Agreement and supported by both the Yukon Liberal caucus and the Yukon NDP caucus.
Today’s opening of the Yukon’s first supervised consumption site is a step forward in ensuring Yukoners have the support they need, when and how they need it. Harm reduction approaches to substance use saves lives. Our partnership between the Yukon government and the community of Whitehorse will help ensure that we can protect the health of Yukoners, reduce overdoses in our community and improve access to treatment, medical care and social services.
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee
I’m excited to see the creation of this valuable resource that will help vulnerable folks accessing a wide range of much needed services. This site will provide a safe and supportive environment. It will save lives and will help our community fight against the devastating opioid crisis that is happening in our territory. I want to thank Blood Ties Four Direction Center as well as all the public servants who worked so hard to make this happen. This is a victory for all Yukoners towards safer communities.
MLA for Vuntut Gwitchin Annie Blake
Blood Ties is excited and proud to be opening the first supervised consumption site in the north. We want to thank everyone who has been involved in this project to date for your hard work and dedication in getting this important project completed. Supervised consumption sites save lives and this is an important step in ending the overdose crisis in the Yukon.
Executive Director of Blood Ties Four Directions Centre Brontë Renwick-Shields
Since the spring of 2016, the Yukon has had 47 opioid-related deaths.
Supervised consumption sites do not provide substances for people to use.
Supervised consumption sites have numerous benefits such as reducing the number of overdose deaths; increased referrals and entry into withdrawal and substance use treatment; reducing HIV and HCV risk; and improved access to medical treatment, health care and other support services.
The Confidence and Supply Agreement (CASA) was signed by the Liberal and NDP caucuses on April 28, 2021. It is in effect until January 31, 2023.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Julie Ménard
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-332-3664
julie.menard@yukon.ca
François Piccard
Chief of Staff (he/him)
Yukon NDP Caucus
867-336-2025 / 1-800-661-0408 x7051
Francois.Picard@yla.gov.yk.ca
Brontë Renwick-Shields
Executive Director, Blood Ties Four Directions Centre
867-689-7225
executivedirector@bloodties.ca