SCS Update: Federal Policy Change | Regional HIV/AIDS Connection

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SCS Update: Federal Policy Change

December 18, 2018

 

Regional HIV/AIDS Connection was excited to learn that the federal government has removed a barrier in the application process for Safe Consumption Sites (SCS) across Canada. In Ontario, this means that regions in urgent need of support will be able to work directly with Federal representatives to receive exemptions for new sites with the goal of reducing overdoses, linking people who use drugs to care and dramatically reducing the potential for new HIV acquisitions by providing clean equipment and accurate, up-to-date information to people accessing these services.

This announcement did not offer any funding— therefore, those wishing to respond to the opioid crisis responsible for sourcing the funds required to support service delivery.  In short, this change has incredible potential to improve the lives of all Canadians – especially those in Ontario who are at increased systemic risk of HIV acquisition and/or overdose in both urban and rural settings.