The Thames Valley District School Board is voicing concerns over one of the two proposed locations for permanent supervised drug consumption facilities in the city.
The problem arose when the Middlesex London Health Unit named 446 York St. as one of its desired spots. The school board believes the location is too close to one of its high schools - H.B. Beal Secondary School.
"We are in support of the idea of supervised consumption sites that provide safe places for people to be supervised when using illicit substances because it is better for our communities. We are just not in support of them in close proximity of our schools," said School Board Superintendent Paul Sydor.
The board is taking the position that any such site should be viewed the same as methadone clinics, marijuana dispensaries, and liquor stores which city bylaws require to be 300 metres away from schools.
Sydor added the board has made its opposition to the proposed York St. site known and will continue to do so.
"We sent a letter back in February articulating our position to the health unit. I went to the public input meeting that was chaired by the Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie, who is an outstanding person, and I will be attending the public input meeting at city hall on Monday," said Sydor. "If [at Monday's meeting] we have an opportunity to present our case there then we will do so."
In an effort to calm fears over the supervised consumption site's proposed location, Mackie met with school board officials Friday.
"It's clear that we all share the goal of keeping students safe. The research that we have looked at is that this sort of facility, supervised consumption services, help keep neighbourhoods and communities safe by getting injection drug use off the streets in a controlled environment, less needle waste, less public intoxication," said Mackie. "I want to make sure that is absolutely the case here in London, so we are going to be working with them to do a number of things that can potentially increase the likelihood that this site will help keep students safe."
Mackie also pointed out that the York St. spot is nearly 250 metres away from Beal Secondary School.
"Obviously they've got the track and field facility that is closer but that is surrounded by a fence already. It's hard to imagine this sort of service having any impact on that," said Mackie.
The health unit announced 446 York St., which is across from Mission Services of London and 241 Simcoe St., a building owned by the London and Middlesex Housing Corporation as its two new picks for the sites last month. They came as two other possible locations, one of which was also on York St., fell through.
The sites will provide a supervised environment in which people with addictions can consume narcotics under the supervision of a health care professional. There would also be after care and interaction with staff who can provide clients with information regarding counselling, treatment, and housing.
In what is considered a largely symbolic gesture, London city council endorsed the two proposed locations at 446 York St. and 241 Simcoe St. on Tuesday night.
The health unit still needs Health Canada approval before it can open any permanent supervised consumption facility.
