A group advocating for the safe use of drugs in Surrey opened an unsanctioned safe consumption site in the city, saying they are attempting to "fill the void created by government inaction."
Becoming frustrated with the hours of operation of the sole safe inhalation site in the city, the Surrey Union of Drug Users (SUDU) decided to open their own location after-hours.
Wednesday and Thursday this week (July 10 and 11) were the two nights the location operated, from 9 p.m. till 1 a.m. the following morning on City Parkway and 107A Avenue.
"We need longer hours there, so we're hoping to keep putting pressure on them so Fraser Health funds more of them to open for longer hours," shared SUDU member Ann Livingston.
Safe Point in Whalley offers an inhalation site in an outdoor tent each day from 9 a.m. till 9 p.m. However, until 1 a.m., Safe Point offers witnessed consumption services for other forms of use from 7 a.m. until 1 a.m., but not for inhalation.
The toxic drug crisis has taken more than 14,000 lives since it was declared a public health emergency in 2016.
The drug user advocacy group is urging the government to open safe inhalation sites in each community in the province. Currently, Fraser Health has opened 12 safe consumption sites in the region, with eight of them offering inhalation services.
At the pop-ups, more than 10 people showed up per night, Livingston shared.
"It's just an obvious no-brainer that action needs to be taken," she added.
"Guildford is completely abandoned, Newton is abandoned, and we know that these two places in particular are where marginalized people are living outside or in really cheap apartments, if they can still get one." Livingston emphasized.
"A lot of what a safe consumption site is a social environment."
A mobile overdose prevention site was planned for the Newton neighbourhood, but the "process was unsuccessful," Dr. John Harding, Fraser Health's public health physician, shared in an email to Peace Arch News.
With three safe consumption sites in Surrey and one in White Rock, naloxone training, education, drug checking and a trained group of staff are all also available to any individual who accesses the space, while also offering referrals to other services, Harding shared.
Fraser Health did not confirm whether the health authority is looking to open more sites in Surrey but said it is continuing to work with various stakeholders in different municipalities to consider the opening of more overdose prevention sites.
"The toxic drug poisoning crisis is a significant and concerning public health crisis in our communities, and we remain committed to providing and expanding services to prevent toxic drug poisoning events and deaths in our region. This past year has seen a concerning increase in toxic drug deaths in provinces across the country, and British Columbia was no exception," Harding said.
While the pop-up safe inhalation site was only opened for two nights, SUDU says their action is not ending there. The group will continue advocating for more services in Surrey as the toxic drug crisis continues to impact the entire province.
