February 7, 2017 - Members of the community gathered at Elevate NWO today where findings of the recent Supervised Injection Services (SIS) Feasibility Study were presented.

"Given the health and social challenges of injection drug use Thunder Bay is currently contending with, it's encouraging to see people who inject drugs and a diverse range of community stakeholders supporting the need for supervised injection services," said principal investigator Dr. Thomas Kerr, Director of Urban Health Research Initiative with the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.

"These services can reduce health risks, and are part of a broader strategy that addresses drug-related harm."

In March 2016, the Ontario HIV Treatment Network and the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy began assessing the feasibility of SIS in Thunder Bay. The study surveyed 200 people who injected drugs. They were asked about their drug-use and injecting behaviours, willingness to use SIS, and preferences for the location of a potential supervised injection site.

Findings reported that 31 per cent of participants injected drugs daily, and 64 per cent reported public injecting in the previous six months. In total, 69 per cent of participants were willing to use SIS if they were available, and the majority identified the north or south cores as the best location.

Interviews were conducted with 17 community members representing major stakeholder groups, including police and emergency services, healthcare and social services, government and municipal services and the business and community sector. Most agreed that for SIS to work well in Thunder Bay, at least two locations are necessary.

Stakeholders envisioned an integrated hub with health and social services provided alongside SIS, including access to education, information and direct referrals to treatment, housing, social services and food support.

Findings from the study suggest that SIS are feasible, and should be considered for implementation in the north or south cores. The services should also be integrated alongside health and social services (i.e. drop-in counselling and mental health support, primary health care, and access to HIV, Hepatitis C and STI testing, and needle distribution) to support people who use drugs.

"We are very fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in this study," said Cynthia Olsen, Drug Strategy Coordinator. "It is now up to us as a community to determine what is most appropriate for us through further dialogue with stakeholders, including broader community consultation."

For more information, or to download the study, visit: ohtn.on.ca/oisis

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Contact:  Bonnie Krysowaty, Research Coordinator, Supervised Injection Services Feasibility Study, 251-9255, bonniekrysowaty@gmail.com