Won’t the Health Hub just serve people with addictions who are already in the neighborhood?
No. People with addictions will come from other areas.
People in need go to areas where there are places that might provide assistance. Especially with other nearby agencies, drug consumption site users (many of whom may be homeless) will come from other parts of Edmonton to 81 st Ave. Nearby social services agencies confirm that their clients come from beyond our neighborhood, and that they would use the drug consumption services of the planned 81 st Ave “Health Hub.”
If you are unsure of your opposition, please visit one of the other drug consumption sites in Edmonton. Seeing them in person will help you to better understand our concerns.
Locations can be found at https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/Page16051.aspx
People in need go to areas where there are places that might provide assistance. Especially with other nearby agencies, drug consumption site users (many of whom may be homeless) will come from other parts of Edmonton to 81 st Ave. Nearby social services agencies confirm that their clients come from beyond our neighborhood, and that they would use the drug consumption services of the planned 81 st Ave “Health Hub.”
If you are unsure of your opposition, please visit one of the other drug consumption sites in Edmonton. Seeing them in person will help you to better understand our concerns.
Locations can be found at https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/Page16051.aspx
Isn’t there high need in the area? Haven’t calls for overdose emergency services gone up?
Our area, especially along 81 st Ave has relatively few calls – especially when compared to other neighborhoods in the city. Data on emergency calls for EMS and Fire Services shows there is a much higher need elsewhere.
Further, most of the calls along 81 st Ave are at or near the facilities providing services for people experiencing homelessness, including those from outside our community.
Further, most of the calls along 81 st Ave are at or near the facilities providing services for people experiencing homelessness, including those from outside our community.
Will crime increase in the neighborhood?
All indications are that crime will increase.
Claiming that crime will not increase defies common sense, is contrary to what has happened near other consumption sites, and denies the firsthand incidents people in our neighborhood have already had with people addicted to drugs.
Users will be in the “Health Hub” for approximately 30 minutes. After consuming street drugs (including heroine, cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl…) individuals can be high for hours. Known reactions include hallucinations, delusions, psychosis, aggressive and violent behavior.
After leaving the site, the community bears the resulting risks and consequences, which include crime, public indecency , vandalism, and more. Criminals selling drugs, and exploiting addicts will also be drawn to 81 st Avenue. EPS and EMS will do their best, but they have not committed
additional resources and do not have budget increases to manage the resulting issues.
Claiming that crime will not increase defies common sense, is contrary to what has happened near other consumption sites, and denies the firsthand incidents people in our neighborhood have already had with people addicted to drugs.
Users will be in the “Health Hub” for approximately 30 minutes. After consuming street drugs (including heroine, cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl…) individuals can be high for hours. Known reactions include hallucinations, delusions, psychosis, aggressive and violent behavior.
After leaving the site, the community bears the resulting risks and consequences, which include crime, public indecency , vandalism, and more. Criminals selling drugs, and exploiting addicts will also be drawn to 81 st Avenue. EPS and EMS will do their best, but they have not committed
additional resources and do not have budget increases to manage the resulting issues.
Didn’t Boyle Street consider the neighborhood in proposing the 81 st Ave location?
No. In choosing the 81 st Ave location, beyond those with drug addictions, Boyle Street did not consider others.
Boyle Street did not assess the impact or the inherent risks of locating a drug consumption site in such a thriving community. No consideration was given to the residents (including children and seniors), people who work here, or the adjacent businesses.
The significant negative impact and the high risk to people already in the neighborhood must be considered in selecting a suitable location. They were not.
Boyle Street did not assess the impact or the inherent risks of locating a drug consumption site in such a thriving community. No consideration was given to the residents (including children and seniors), people who work here, or the adjacent businesses.
The significant negative impact and the high risk to people already in the neighborhood must be considered in selecting a suitable location. They were not.
Why is this Neighbourhood a high-risk area for a drug consumption site?
West Ritchie is a thriving, successful neighborhood which through the efforts of many has been revitalized. The density of people and businesses located on 81 st Ave make the risks high.
Within 500m of the proposed site are 3 daycares (with 220 licensed spaces), 9 activity centers for children and families, over 2,000 residents (in over 1,300 apartments or condominiums) and many more in houses. There are also 4 senior’s facilities with 173 units and over 250 seniors, and
over 400 small businesses (including beauty salons, restaurants, retail outlets, theatres, gymnasiums, and many professional offices) who employ over 2,000 people.
Within 500m of the proposed site are 3 daycares (with 220 licensed spaces), 9 activity centers for children and families, over 2,000 residents (in over 1,300 apartments or condominiums) and many more in houses. There are also 4 senior’s facilities with 173 units and over 250 seniors, and
over 400 small businesses (including beauty salons, restaurants, retail outlets, theatres, gymnasiums, and many professional offices) who employ over 2,000 people.
IS Scona Concerned Citizens against helping people with addiction?
No, we certainly are not against helping people with addictions.
We simply advocate that in solving addiction issues – that existing, successful neighborhoods not be damaged or destroyed.
Others must also be considered. No one wants another Chinatown disaster in Edmonton.
We simply advocate that in solving addiction issues – that existing, successful neighborhoods not be damaged or destroyed.
Others must also be considered. No one wants another Chinatown disaster in Edmonton.
Isn’t the general community in support of the 81 st Avenue Health Hub?
No. There are many examples of community opposition.
At the January 30, 2023 Boyle Street public consultation, the vast majority of attendees were vehemently opposed to this site location.
More than 70 letters have been written to Provincial and City officials expressing citizens’ concerns and objecting to the site. Over 1,100 people have signed a Scona Concerned Citizens petition asking that the hub be moved to a better location. Further, of 126 respondents to an Old Strathcona Business Association survey - 49.52% stated they were opposed under any circumstances. Only 18.1% stated they welcome the proposed site.
At the January 30, 2023 Boyle Street public consultation, the vast majority of attendees were vehemently opposed to this site location.
More than 70 letters have been written to Provincial and City officials expressing citizens’ concerns and objecting to the site. Over 1,100 people have signed a Scona Concerned Citizens petition asking that the hub be moved to a better location. Further, of 126 respondents to an Old Strathcona Business Association survey - 49.52% stated they were opposed under any circumstances. Only 18.1% stated they welcome the proposed site.
Has Boyle Street followed a fair and meaningful Public Engagement process?
No. Boyle Street has not followed a fair or meaningful process. They continue to fail to adequately include the affected community.
The site lease was signed and location opening announced even before the first community consultation meeting. Subsequent community consultations have been grossly inadequate. Boyle Street has not provided feedback on what they heard or commitment to actions to address
community concerns. They have not engaged the actual affected community in their “good neighbor agreement”.
The site lease was signed and location opening announced even before the first community consultation meeting. Subsequent community consultations have been grossly inadequate. Boyle Street has not provided feedback on what they heard or commitment to actions to address
community concerns. They have not engaged the actual affected community in their “good neighbor agreement”.
Doesn’t Boyle Street’s “Good Neighbor Agreement” ensure there will be no problems?
Not so far.
A real agreement requires both parties to participate in developing it, and to agree on the terms. To our knowledge, Boyle Street has not included any actual neighbors (people in the affected community who live, work and own businesses on 81 st Ave) in development of such a discussion. There is no validation that Boyle Street’s representation of concerns are actually those of the neighbors, or that their proposed solutions address them.
There is good reason for further scepticism. Other "commitments" of this type (with Mustard Seed, and with Youth Empowerment and Support Services) have been abject failures. The agencies are failing to adhere to the terms, no resulting actions are being taken to address the issues, and
there are no consequences for failures.
A real agreement requires both parties to participate in developing it, and to agree on the terms. To our knowledge, Boyle Street has not included any actual neighbors (people in the affected community who live, work and own businesses on 81 st Ave) in development of such a discussion. There is no validation that Boyle Street’s representation of concerns are actually those of the neighbors, or that their proposed solutions address them.
There is good reason for further scepticism. Other "commitments" of this type (with Mustard Seed, and with Youth Empowerment and Support Services) have been abject failures. The agencies are failing to adhere to the terms, no resulting actions are being taken to address the issues, and
there are no consequences for failures.
What is Scona Concerned Citizens asking for? What alternatives do you suggest?
We ask the City of Edmonton and the Province of Alberta insist that Boyle Street Find A Better Location. We ask the Province not to approve the purported $2.15m per year in operational funding or the necessary OPS License for a Supervised Consumption Site for the 81st Ave location.
In finding a better location, site evaluation should include an assessment of the impact and risks that services will have on other stakeholders. We ask that approvals not be given to locations where there will be unmitigable risk of harm to other people and property.
Our members have suggested a few possible alternative locations;
If harm reduction as a health service is truly the purpose, then locating the site at the University of Alberta Hospital would seem the right answer. This would provide better care with immediate access to emergency services. It would also be in the neighborhood if addressing local need is a priority.
Other suggestions might include the Armoury building at 103 street and 85 avenue, the Parking Lot beside Mustard Seed Prairie Manor (using mobile trailer clinics) or the more industrial area near 101 street and 77 avenue. A more fulsome search and proper evaluation is required.
We would be pleased to assist Boyle Street to find a better location.
In finding a better location, site evaluation should include an assessment of the impact and risks that services will have on other stakeholders. We ask that approvals not be given to locations where there will be unmitigable risk of harm to other people and property.
Our members have suggested a few possible alternative locations;
If harm reduction as a health service is truly the purpose, then locating the site at the University of Alberta Hospital would seem the right answer. This would provide better care with immediate access to emergency services. It would also be in the neighborhood if addressing local need is a priority.
Other suggestions might include the Armoury building at 103 street and 85 avenue, the Parking Lot beside Mustard Seed Prairie Manor (using mobile trailer clinics) or the more industrial area near 101 street and 77 avenue. A more fulsome search and proper evaluation is required.
We would be pleased to assist Boyle Street to find a better location.
Please Sign Our Petition
https://www.change.org/strathcona-health-hub-petition
https://www.change.org/strathcona-health-hub-petition