Health Canada approves new supervised consumption sites in B.C. and Montreal
OTTAWA — Health Canada has approved plans to create four new supervised consumption sites in British Columbia and Quebec, but some health officials say the approvals fall short of meeting the needs in communities devastated by overdose deaths.
A statement from Health Minister Jane Philpott on Friday said the approval of the sites is one step in combating the ongoing illicit opioid “overdose epidemic” gripping the country.
The sites allow people to use illicit drugs under the supervision of a medical professional in case they overdose.
But at a conference in Vancouver, health officials said restrictions mean only people who inject drugs can receive supervision, not those who use drugs in other forms.