Lethbridge's supervised consumption site. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko / with files from The Canadian Press

Premiers comments come after viewing panel report

Premier Kenney says province may close or relocate supervised consumption sites

Jan 22, 2020 | 6:26 AM

CALGARY, AB – Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says it’s possible the province could close or relocate supervised drug consumption sites.

The United Conservative government appointed a panel last summer to look into the socio-economic impacts of the sites on communities and businesses.

LNN reported back in August 2019 that the scope of the review will include crime rates, needle debris, residential property values, emergency medical service calls, business impacts, data collection, referrals to treatment providers, overdose referrals, and proposals for solutions.

The review will not, however, include things such as the merits of supervised consumption sites as harm reduction tools, the utility of these services in each community, establishing supervised consumption services outside of the current or proposed sites, provincial funding, or social issues like housing and homelessness.

Kenney told reporters in Calgary that he has seen the panel’s preliminary report and it reinforces the government’s concerns.

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He says neighbourhoods with consumption sites have seen an increase in crime and property damage.

Lethbridge West MLA Shannon Phillips, a member of the Opposition NDP, says the site in Lethbridge is critical.

She says more people will die and the crime rate will rise if it is shut down.

Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf of the UCP commented on social media that we can expect the report on Alberta’s supervised consumption services to be released to the public in the coming weeks.