Every year, 60-70 people in Windsor-Essex will die from opioid overdoses. Although Windsor Ontario has certain services geared towards managing the opioid crisis in our community, such as the Needle Syringe Program through Pozitive Pathways, this is not enough to ensure that those using opioids can prevent death through a overdose reverse.

Windsor Ontario would benefit greatly from a Safe Injection Site. As of January of 2021, there has already been 37 Safe Injection Sites operating across Canada. Evidence from these Safe Injection Sites suggests that they are “associated with lower overdose mortality”, “67% fewer ambulance calls for treating overdoses” and a “decrease in HIV infections”.

Windsor is impacted by opioid overdoses to the point where mostly everyone in our community has some sort of connection to someone who has had their life cut short from an opioid overdose- whether it be a friend, coworker, family member or acquaintance. 

We can not stop opioid use, but we can put an end to these growing overdose deaths. A Safe Injection Site would allow those who use opioids to receive the harm reduction tools necessary for them to continue their life and eventually reach recovery. These tools would include: an increase in fentanyl testing strips, naloxone (which is a medication that is used to reverse opioid overdoses), along with a supervised environment which would ensure a decrease of these opioid related deaths in our community. Along with these harm reduction tools, most Safe Injection Sites offer other resources for those struggling with addiction: such as encouraging access to health care services (this includes addiction treatment). With a Safe Injection Site, not only would Windsor see a decrease in opioid related mortality rates, but there would also be a decrease in diseases such as HIV (which can occur when there is a lack of clean needles for IV users). Along with this, we would see a decrease in these individuals using opioids in the streets. 

There are various individuals in our community who are publicly skeptical about forming a Safe Injection Site in Windsor Ontario. Individuals such as our Mayor, Drew Dilkens, believe that a Safe Injection Site would be bad for Windsor from a business lens. More concerns that others have brought to light is regarding the “policing resources, nearby businesses and the model itself”. 

With all these concerns I ask the question: are any of these valid reasons to turn a blind eye to the increasing opioid mortality rates in our community? 

This petition acts as a call for action. We need to take these opioid deaths more seriously. As of April 2022, The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit announced a Safe Injection Site that they are trying to achieve- stating that the proposed site will take place at 101 Wyandotte St. However, the city counsel previously endorsed the site for 628 Goyeau Street, which ended up never happening. 

When you sign this petition, you are showing Windsor that we need a Safe Injection Site. You are showing your support towards the movement of the Safe Injection Site at 101 Wyandotte St and endorsing your approval for harm reduction strategies in our community. Please take the time to sign this petition. Together we can put an end to overdose deaths.