Pubdate: Thu, 06 Oct 2016 Source: Hamilton Spectator (CN ON) Copyright: 2016 The Hamilton Spectator Contact: http://www.thespec.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/181 Author: Molly Hayes Page: A4 Referenced: http://fluidsurveys.com/s/SIS_Consultation/ HAVE YOUR SAY ON SAFER INJECTION SITES IN HAMILTON As they study the feasibility of opening safer injection sites in Hamilton, the city is seeking feedback from the community. A survey - posted online at www.hamilton.ca/VAN - will be open from Oct. 5 to 26 for anyone who lives or works in the city. The feedback gathered through the survey will "help inform next steps" as the city considers whether safer injection sites would be an effective harm reduction service in Hamilton, in the wake of a nationwide opioid overdose crisis. A full-scale community assessment will be considered as part of the 2017 capital budget process. More than 800 people landed in Hamilton emergency rooms due to drug overdoses in the first half of this year alone. More than 650 people died of opioid-related causes in Ontario last year. As part of their current harm reduction strategy, the city provides a number of resources including free naloxone (opioid antidote) kits, free safe injection and inhalation kits, as well as a needle exchange service. For more, visit hamilton.ca. Click on public health and then alcohol drug and gambling programs. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt