The Kamloops mobile overdose prevention unit is pictured in this file photo.

(KIM ANDERSON / iNFOnews.ca)

KAMLOOPS - The mobile safe injection site in Kamloops has moved to a new secure parking location.

The mobile home-turned safe injection site has been parked in the downtown area when not in use since it was introduced in May of 2017. The customized RV will now be parked at the Mission Flats Manor transitional housing complex on Mission Flats Road.

Debi Morris, health services administrator for mental health and substance use for Interior Health west, says there were concerns voiced over the trailer's previous overnight parking location in downtown Kamloops.

Morris says that various businesses and residents complained about the RV, with many being concerned it was attracting negative issues - although it was never operational in the downtown location where it was parked.

“I think a supervised consumption site in any area is really quite an emotive issue in terms of what exactly that service does,” Morris says. “People are often challenged to have a service such as that in their particular area, particularly where there are businesses and residences.”

There were 71 safe consumption visits between the ASK Wellness location at 433 Tranquille Rd. and at Crossroads Housing at 569 Seymour St. last month, and she says Interior Health continues to monitor usage. At this point, no changes will be made to the service locations.

“We’re continuing to monitor its use, where it's getting its most use, and where we're getting the biggest impact,” Morris says. “We're not changing anything from an operational kind of day by day perspective at this point.”

You can check out the schedule and services offered here.

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