Port Alberni’s overdose prevention site that opened on May 1 has seen fairly good numbers of people using the Third Avenue facility.
“There’s reasonably good traffic coming through the site, said Dr. Paul Hasselback, Island Health medical health officer. “Most [people], at this point in time, are kind of exploring getting information on reduction supplies and refilling naloxone kits.”
Hasselback said he thinks there is still room for further utilization of using drugs on site to prevent overdoses.
“That’s where I think there’s still growth room.” he said. “There’s good information being provided there.”
The Port Alberni Shelter Society and Island Health implemented the prevention site last month in response to Vancouver Island’s public health emergency over fentanyl. Shelter Society spokesperson John Douglas has been speaking with Alberni Valley-based community groups about what services the site provides.