The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is happy to see preparations for a safe injection site nearly reaching an end.
WECHU Executive Director Dr. Ken Blanchette updated board members at their monthly meeting Thursday afternoon, stating that almost everything is set for the opening next week of the temporary Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) site at Wyandotte Street East and Goyeau.
Having invited local media to a sneak preview of the facility Wednesday, Blanchette said the response from the community has been encouraging so far.
"The feedback from those who have been through the site the past few weeks, and those who have been through [Thursday], has been very positive," said Blanchette. "Those that have even had perhaps some reservations or concerns, who have gone through are now getting to see the site firsthand, and understand the process on how the continuity of care will be there."
The site, known as SafePoint, is the result of about two years of public consultations and applications with various levels of government, with strong opinions on both sides of the issue. The health unit is responsible for the application and oversight, but Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare will handle the facility's day-to-day operations.
The federal government gave its green light on April 14 following a recent site inspection. Blanchette said the one thing remaining is the provincial approval, which he does not believe will be a problem.
"Working with the folks from the provincial application piece has been fantastic," said Blanchette. "We continue to meet every week, we've had several meetings with them."
Windsor Ward 7 Councillor Angelo Marignani, a WECHU board member, called the site long overdue, and transparency is key.
"It's important to have those lines of communication with the public because that sort of takes away the stigma of it all," said Marignani. "It gives the public a view of what we're really trying to do, and that's to save lives."
Two days of public open houses have been held, and the centre is due to open for clients on Wednesday.
SafePoint will operate at Wyandotte Street East until a permanent site is chosen. Ward 3 Councillor Renaldo Agostino, another board member, will chair a site selection committee for the new site.
