Overdose prevention site opens in Cape Breton
A new overdose prevention site (OPS) opened this week in Sydney, providing people a safe space to use drugs and prevent opioid overdose deaths.
The site, known as Peer Six OPS, began operating on Monday on Prince Street. It’s the second overdose prevention site funded by a community-based organization in Nova Scotia after Direction 180’s ReFix in Halifax.
A press release from the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) noted that the site welcomed six clients within its first hour. For Christine Porter, executive director of Ally Centre of Cape Breton, the service marks a meaningful shift to reducing harm for people who use drugs on Cape Breton Island.
“Peer Six provides a safe and supportive environment for people to inject, snort, or ingest drugs. It is staffed by people with lived and living experience trained in all areas of overdose prevention and harm reduction," Porter said.
Dr. Jesse Kancir, medical officer of health for Nova Scotia’s Eastern Zone, agrees.
“Peer Six OPS is rooted in a compassionate, evidence-based, and client-centered public health approach," Kancir said. "This opening is an important milestone in efforts to help reduce health and social harms for people who use drugs in Cape Breton.”
Last year, Nova Scotia Health reported 15 substance-related deaths in the Eastern Zone of the province. Eight of those were opioid-related.
In a statement issued to CTV News Atlantic, NSHA senior communications advisor Brendan Elliott noted there are no plans to expand overdose prevention sites across the province. However, they will be monitoring and evaluating the current sites to help inform future plans.
The Department of Health and Wellness announced plans for the overdose prevention site in December 2021, when $500,000 was allocated to the Ally Centre and Direction 180 in Halifax over two years to help operate the service.
According to Ellliott, the site has two booths and will be open between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The program is free to clients.
NSHA could not say how much the two overdose prevention sites would save taxpayers in health care costs.
Peer Six OPS was funded as part of the province’s Opioid Use and Overdose Framework that aims to prevent opioid overdose deaths in Nova Scotia. The site will also include needle distribution and disposal, primary health care services, and street outreach nursing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.