The Supervised Consumption Site in Lethbridge. (Lethbridge News Now)

By Lethbridge News Now staff

Fallout from spending controversy

Lethbridge’s supervised consumption site closing, temporary overdose prevention site opening

Aug 13, 2020 | 9:26 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – In just a matter of weeks, ARCHES will no longer be providing supervised consumption services in Lethbridge.

A letter was recently sent out to neighbouring businesses informing them that as of August 31, 2020, ARCHES will no longer be providing supervised consumption, needle collection, or outreach services.

They expect to vacate the building on 1016 1 Ave South on or before September 30.

Last month, a financial audit was completed by Deloitte for the Government of Alberta that found widespread financial mismanagement within the organization, including $1.6 million in taxpayer dollars being unaccounted for. The provincial government pulled all of its funding from ARCHES as a result.

A mobile “overdose prevention site” operated by Alberta Health Services will open in Lethbridge on Monday, August 17.

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In an emailed statement from the Associate Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, they say the OPS will allow “for the seamless transition of clients as the grant agreement with ARCHES for the existing supervised consumption site ends.”

“The mobile OPS will offer the same services ARCHES currently offers, and based on the utilization data we’ve received from the current supervised consumption services operator, the capacity will be sufficient to serve the clients.”

A spokesperson told Lethbridge News Now that they will place a heavy emphasis on access to recovery-oriented supports such as transitional shelter, detox, and referral to treatment.

Officials are working to ensure that the demand for supervised consumption services is met and that there is a seamless transition of services from ARCHES at AHS.

The government has indicated that the OPS is merely a temporary solution while something that is better suited to the long-term needs of the community is figured out.