The District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board is denying a report that it is considering putting a safe injection site at Northern Pines at 590 Chippewa Street.
A news release refers to an erroneous media report that claimed the social agency was planning one.
"DNSSAB has no plans to put a safe injection site at the Northern Pines location, or anywhere in the community."
Northern Pines is a low barrier shelter for the homeless across from Chippewa school.
"Based on 2020 data from the Chief Coroner of Ontario, North Bay had the second-highest opioid-related death rate in the province," says the release."In light of these tragic findings, the DNSSAB last year provided funding for a harm reduction study that is being led by the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit in collaboration with other health and social service agencies."
The purpose of the study currently underway is to investigate various harm reduction services to determine if any could be of value to implement in Nipissing District.
"Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use; safe injection sites are only one of many possible strategies. The DNSSAB has no plans to put a safe injection site at the Northern Pines location on Chippewa Street," the release concludes.
