Question Period Note: Supervised Consumption Sites

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KEY MESSAGES
• Supervised consumption sites provide lifesaving medical services to people who use drugs. SCS are a pathway to connect people to other health and social supports, including counselling, treatment and housing.
• When well-managed and well-integrated into communities, these sites help reduce public drug use and ease the strain on emergency services.
• We will work with provinces, municipalities and Indigenous communities to help keep communities safe while also providing access to lifesaving medical services.
IF PRESSED
Q1 : If pressed on provincial (Ontario, QC, AB) legislation
A1 :
• Supervised consumption sites provide access to important health and social services, including connection to substance use treatment for those who are ready; provinces, territories and municipalities play a key role in their effective operation through legislation, regulations, policies, and investments.
• There are decades of evidence, which demonstrate that supervised consumption sites save lives and can contribute positively to surrounding communities. They are a vital component of Canada’s comprehensive approach to the overdose crisis.
• The Government of Canada will continue working with provinces and territories to support the full range of services needed to protect public health and public safety.
Q2: If pressed on a review of supervised consumption sites
A2:
• Supervised consumption services are a key service in the continuum of health care. The Government of Canada will continue to work closely with provinces and territories to support the full range of services needed to protect public health and public safety.

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KEY STATS
• Since 2017, the number of supervised consumption sites (SCS) in Canada has increased from 2 to a peak of 40, with 32 currently in operation. As of February 2025, SCS have:
- Been visited more than 5.2 million times
- Responded to over 64,000 overdoses
- Made over 616,000 referrals to health and social services