Montreal to get 4 supervised injection sites

Montreal will soon be home to four supervised injection sites for intravenous drug users.

While the service isexpected to cost $2.7 million annually, the Public Health Department saidthe health care system will ultimately come out the winner.

• Insite supervised injection site marks 10-year milestone

Richard Mass, the director of Montreal Public Health, argues that while the the experiment may seem expensive, the quality of life will improve for the people who live near the sites, and for the drug users.

Mass said the social gains will surpass the cost if people consider the complications associated with injection drug use hepatitis C, HIV and overdoses, among others and the risk of contamination associated with dirty needles left lying around.

"You gain more with these services than leaving people to deal with their health problems, not to mention the social costs for the population living nearby," said Mass.

• Report suggests Toronto test out safe injection sites

An additional $3.2 million will be needed to launch the service, buy equipment and renovate the designated spaces.

Masssaid, according to a study commissioned by the citys public health office, the service would pay for itself after four years.

The idea is not new similar centres already exist in Vancouverand several Montreal-based organizations, particularlyCactus, have been lobbying for them for years.

• Safe drug injection site rules emphasize local input

The Montreal health network will support community organizations that are already working with the target clientele. Three permanent centres, each with an injection room supervised by a nurse, will be implemented. A fourth, mobile centrewill work to reach people in other areas that are particularly affected by intravenous drug use.

Mass said personnel won't administer injections and no drugs will be sold on site. However, medical services will be available in case of an overdose.

Montreal Public Health officials said theyalso hopethat the supervised injection sites will encourage some drug users to eventually seek detox services.