Pubdate: Mon, 21 Nov 2016 Source: Hamilton Spectator (CN ON) Copyright: 2016 The Hamilton Spectator Contact: http://www.thespec.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/181 Author: Matthew Van Dongen Page: A6 84 PER CENT BACK SAFE INJECTION SITE The city has found a funding partner to help study if Hamilton should offer supervised injection sites for drug users. A report that goes to councillors this week says the anticipated $250,000 cost of a study can be cut to around $90,000 thanks to a proposed partnership with a health program and institute at McMaster University. The report also shows 84 per cent of 1,690 respondents to a community survey supported the idea of having a supervised injection site in Hamilton. If council signs off on paying for the study, it would begin next year - - but likely wouldn't provide a recommendation until early 2018. Advocates have been calling for faster adoption of a supervised injection site in the wake of a growing number of overdose deaths linked to opioids, particularly fentanyl. A recent hospital study found Hamilton to be a provincial hot spot for opioid deaths. Coun. Matthew Green called the latest progress by public health "an incredible start." - --- MAP posted-by: Matt