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By Pete McIntyre
site is now operational

City opposed to location of overdose prevention site

May 26, 2020 | 11:07 AM

Administrators at the City of Vernon plan to write the Ministry of Health opposing the location of an overdose prevention site in the downtown core

The site, which is operated by Interior Health, is located at 3306 32nd Avenue across from Beach Radio and next door to Hogarth’s Pharmacy.

Overdose prevention sites are designed to provide on-site monitoring for people at risk of drug overdoses and allows for rapid response when an overdose occurs.

While city council is not opposed to an OPS in the community, councillors state it should not be located in a private building where business owners may be negatively impacted and that such a facility should be at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.

Mayor Victor Cumming said the OPS has been operating for a week, so he’s not sure if council’s resolution will change anything.

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“That’s a question for Interior Health,” Cumming told Vernon Matters.

Cumming said businesses in that area are concerned.

“At this point, people’s expectations are that it will have some impact on the neighbours. Commercial operations are already quite concerned.”

The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce issued a statement earlier this month stating it was “extremely concerned” about the location.

Interior Health media relations tells Vernon Matters the OPS in Vernon is now operational.

by Pete McIntyre
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