Regina’s first supervised consumption site approved by Health Canada

The Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre in Regina has received full approval from Health Canada to operate as a supervised consumption site. This is a significant development for the centre’s Wâhkôhtowin Harm Reduction branch, which had been functioning as an overdose prevention site since 2021. Located on 11th Avenue in Regina, the friendship centre made the announcement via social media earlier this week. Unfortunately, representatives from the Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre were unavailable for an interview at this time.

Previously, the centre had been operating under a temporary exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which was granted in response to an urgent public health need. Health Canada conducted a thorough review of the centre’s application and carefully considered public health and public safety before granting the new exemption on December 27, 2024.

With this new decision, the Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre is now officially operating as Regina’s first federally approved supervised consumption site. The only other approved site in the province is Prairie Harm Reduction in Saskatoon.

In response to this development, Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health clarified that they do not fund consumption sites. However, they confirmed that a site does not require the province’s approval to operate, only an exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act from Health Canada. The Ministry of Health emphasized their focus on helping individuals access treatment and rehabilitation to overcome addiction.

A supervised consumption site allows adults to use drugs on site under the observation of a paramedic to prevent overdoses or other medical incidents. Additionally, these sites offer drug testing to identify contaminants like fentanyl, as well as access to social services, referrals to substance use treatment and detox programs, housing supports, Elder support, cultural support, and daily meals for those experiencing food insecurity.

According to data from the Saskatchewan Coroners Service, there has been a decrease in drug-related deaths in the province. As of November 2024, there were 334 confirmed or suspected drug-related deaths, a 24% decrease from the previous year. The majority of overdose cases in the province are linked to fentanyl or related opioids, with Regina having the highest number of confirmed deaths at 69, followed by Saskatoon with 53.

This new development at the Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre is a positive step towards addressing the ongoing opioid crisis in the province and providing much-needed support for individuals struggling with addiction.