A Victoria councillor’s bid to shut down a safe consumption site in the city won't be heard until fall.
Coun. Marg Gardiner contends the Harbour Supervised Consumption Service, run by Island Health, poses a safety risk for the community.
“(The Harbour) has become a magnet for those addicted to drugs and for drug dealers who prey on the weak and ill among those encamped in our city. The safety of our city, the health and well-being of our residents and the viability of our downtown businesses must be priorities of this council,” Gardiner said, reading from her motion during the July 10 council meeting.
She plans to seek council support to formally issue a request to Island Health CEO Kathy MacNeil and board chair Leah Hollins that Island Health cease operations of any safe consumption site in the city.
Victoria council, sitting as committee, agreed to shift the conversation to November after a deferral motion from Mayor Marianne Alto.
Alto noted the drug crisis is “possibly one of the most complicated and complex issues of our time,” pointing to the recent reallocation of funds to implement the city’s new Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan. Victoria will reallocate $10.35 million this year to begin implementing what will likely be a years-long plan to address homelessness, addiction and mental health issues in the city. A November return provides four months to get those endeavours underway, gauge the impact and inform the conversation, she said.
“I don’t want to wait another two years,” said Gardiner.
She and Coun. Stephen Hammond opposed the deferral.
Opened in 2018, The Harbour includes 10 consumption booths, a waiting area, post-use areas, a mental health counselling room, a nurse clinic room, and a medication room. It is open from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. The facility also houses Island Health’s Assertive Community Treatment teams and associated clinical services.
It provides a place where people can use illegal drugs under the supervision of trained health professionals and peer support workers and operates under a federal exemption to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act, with its latest exemption expiring June 30, 2027.
