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September 13, 2016 - 12:51 PM
KAMLOOPS - A survey of Kamloops businesses in North Shore and Brocklehurst neighbourhoods shows significant opposition to a proposed illicit drug safe consumption service being located in those areas.
In a survey to member businesses, the North Shore Business Improvement Association asked whether they supported a supervised injection site in the business area, particularly the Tranquille Market Corridor.
Of the 224 business surveyed, 172 or nearly 77 per cent, did not support the idea, according to a media release. The survey was held over August by random canvassing.
This shows significant concern from the business community, the business group's executive director Steven Puhallo says in the release.
“Our members’ primary concern is the massing of services like this on the North Shore, and what the long term strategy and game plan is around this form of harm reduction,” he says in the release.
The North Shore is home to a variety of outreach, non-profit and government organization offices including ASK Wellness’s outreach centre. Puhallo says in the release the business association will work with the Interior Health Authority on community outreach.
The safe consumption service discussion will be before city council this afternoon, Sept. 13, as a representative of the Health Authority will be presenting an information package to council.
Councillors have concerns about a potential site as well. Coun. Ken Christian says in an email he’s uncertain a city the size of Kamloops should host a safe consumption service, and while Coun. Tina Lange supports the idea, she adds there are plenty of details to work through.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2016